Tech sends Middle Tennessee home feeling blue with 63-54 Golden Eagle win
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech picked up a big win in a big way on Tuesday night as the Golden Eagle women came out strong in the third quarter to overpower Middle Tennessee, taking a thrilling 63-54 victory over the visiting Blue Raiders. Tech (3-0) earned its first victory over Middle Tennessee since 2018 and will try to improve to 4-0 on Saturday as it travels to Kennesaw State.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech picked up a big win in a big way on Tuesday night as the Golden Eagle women came out strong in the third quarter to overpower Middle Tennessee, taking a thrilling 63-54 victory over the visiting Blue Raiders.
Tech (3-0) earned its first victory over Middle Tennessee since 2018 and will try to improve to 4-0 on Saturday as it travels to Kennesaw State.
True freshman LaReesha Cawthorn soared in the second half, going 7-for-7 from the field with a 3-pointer and adding a free throw for 16 of her 21 total points. In all, the freshman was 9-for-11 from the field and 2-for-3 from the stripe, collecting eight rebounds, an assist, a steal and two blocks.
Chloe Larry and Reghan Grimes both added 14 points – each collecting eight points in the second half. Larry was 4-for-9 from the field overall with seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Grimes was 6-for-16 with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
The Golden Eagles were scorching in the second half, shooting 53.3 percent in the third quarter and 54.5 in the fourth. Tech also found its stroke from downtown, hitting 6-for-9 (66.7 percent) in the second half after going 1-for-10 in the opening two quarters. The Golden Eagles' best scoring run stretched from the end of the third quarter and into the fourth as Tech scored 13 straight points.
Tech trailed the first quarter 21-13, but rallied in the second to make it a tight 31-26 game at the intermission. In the third quarter, though, the Golden Eagles outscored Middle Tennessee 22-11, then extended their lead in the fourth 15-12, holding a 12-point advantage at its peak with 3:29 remaining in the contest.
Yu Han Lin led the Blue Raiders with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 3-for-7 at the line. Macie Phifer followed with 13 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, while Alayna Contreras added 12 points. Blair Baugus and Carsyn Swaney each had six points.
Photo | Jim Dillon
