Tech women back on the road Thursday for trip to EIU
January 7, 2026

Tech women back on the road Thursday for trip to EIU

CHARLESTON, Ill. – After a tough loss to open up the year at Little Rock, the Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team has had a week to learn from it and move forward. The sights are now set on their next opponent – Eastern Illinois. The two teams will square off on Thursday at 5 PM at EIU’s Groniger Arena. Dylan Vazzano and Frank Harrell will have the call on 106.1 The Eagle, while the game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

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By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations

CHARLESTON, Ill. – After a tough loss to open up the year at Little Rock, the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team has had a week to learn from it and move forward. The sights are now set on their next opponent – Eastern Illinois.

The two teams will square off on Thursday at 5 PM at EIU's Groniger Arena. Dylan Vazzano and Frank Harrell will have the call on 106.1 The Eagle, while the game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Charleston isn't always the easiest place to get a win as the Panthers have won two of the last three meetings in Groniger Arena. However, the Golden Eagles have a 37-19 lead in the all-time series with wins in seven of the last 10. Head coach Kim Rosamond is 12-4 against Eastern Illinois.

The Panthers have had a tough go of it to start the 2025-26 campaign, entering Thursday with a 1-14 record and an eight-game losing streak – making Thursday's contest one the Golden Eagles can't overlook, especially after the 71-40 loss in Charleston last season.

EIU certainly has faced its share of talented opponents with losses to Drake, Purdue, Indiana State, Central Michigan, Butler and ranked Michigan State and Louisville teams. The lone regular-season victory so far came on Nov. 29 as Eastern topped Bellarmine 68-63.

The Panthers have started Ohio Valley Conference play with an 0-4 slide, including a 59-52 double-overtime loss to SIUE, an 87-55 loss to Lindenwood, a two-point 70-68 fall at Southeast Missouri and a 58-51 defeat at UT Martin.

With Little Rock's win over the Golden Eagles last weekend, there are no undefeated teams left in the OVC with Western Illinois, Tech, Southern Indiana, UT Martin and Little Rock each holding a share of the league lead at 3-1. Lindenwood is a half-game back at 3-2, while Morehead State is a full-game back at 2-2. SEMO and Tennessee State are both at 1-3, SIUE is 1-4 and EIU is looking for its first win. There's still a long way to go in the conference race, however.

Ava Stoller leads the Panthers in scoring with a 12.5-point average and leads the team in assists with 44, while Lalani Ellis is averaging 10.0 points a game. Abbie Boutilier has the top rebounding average on the team with 6.5 per game, while Clara Glad leads the team in steals with 23.

As a team, EIU is averaging 56.5 points a game and allowing 75.0. The Panthers are shooting .345 from the field, .289 from 3-point range and .746 at the free-throw line with an average of 6.1 3-pointers and 10.6 free throws made per game.

The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, are averaging 68.2 points per game and allowing 60.2. Tech is shooting .381 from the field, .327 from 3-point range with 6.5 made per game and .690 from the free-throw line with an average of 15.8 made per game.

Reghan Grimes leads the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and assists (33), while Reagan Hurst (12.5 ppg), Chloe Larry (11.5 ppg) and Cam Mathews (11.0 ppg). True freshman LaReesha Cawthorn (8.0 ppg) leads the team in blocks (14) and steals (22).

Following Thursday's game, Tech will travel to Western Illinois for a Saturday afternoon matinee, then will return home next Thursday to host Southern Indiana.

Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.

Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations