TUESDAY'S SCORES
@Tennessee Tech 70, Winthrop 41
@Georgia State 55,
Jacksonville State 41
@Southeast Missouri 74, Evansville 65
Morehead State 73, @St. Francis Brooklyn 59
TENNESSEE TECH 70, WINTHROP 41
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - After a period of nine days between games, Tech resumed its season on Tuesday morning in a meeting with Winthrop.
The Golden Eagles picked up a 70-41 win over the visiting Eagles, improving their record to 3-7 with a game left in non-conference play.
Tech also hosted its first Education Day in conjunction with the game, introducing the initiative to the Cookeville community. A crowd of 1,519, many of which were local middle school students, came to watch the Golden Eagles in the early tip-off.
As today marked its first game since Dec. 10, Tech got off to a rough start. In the first quarter, the Golden Eagles made just 18.8 percent of their shots (3-of-16) and ended the quarter tied with Winthrop at 10-all.
Tech found its footing in the second quarter and went on a 19-3 run in the last seven minutes of the period, which opened up a 14-point lead at halftime.
In the game as a whole, Tech out-rebounded Winthrop 46-34 and shot 42.9 percent from the floor, including 47.6 percent from 3-point range.
The team also cut down its turnovers, giving up the ball 16 times after a 27-turnover performance against IUPUI on Dec. 10.
Freshman Jordan Brock played a big role in Tech's 3-point success, coming off the bench to make five of her eight attempts and total 15 points overall, along with six rebounds.
Kesha Brady received the title of First National Bank of Tennessee-Special Olympics Player of the Game, scoring 19 points for her fifth-straight double-figure performance. Brady's shot selection and efficiency were excellent, making all five of her shots (two from beyond the arc) and missing just one of her eight free throw attempts. She also brought down five rebounds.
But when it came to boards, Asia Harper shone for Tech. The senior had never totaled more than eight rebounds in a game at Tech until she collected 12 today. That also marked the first time this season an individual Tech player totaled 10 or more rebounds in a game.
Tech ends non-conference play on Thursday against the Lipscomb Bisons (2-10). Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT in the Hooper Eblen Center.
GEORGIA STATE 55, JACKSONVILLE STATE 41
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team fell in its final non-conference matchup of the year with a 55-41 setback at Georgia State Tuesday afternoon.
Looking to end an eight-game skid against the Panthers, JSU had no luck in snagging its first victory over GSU since 2003.
Two days after setting a career high with 16 rebounds at Clemson, junior Rayven Pearson topped that total with 18 against the Panthers on Tuesday. It marked the most rebounds by a Gamecock since Briana Morrow had 18 against Jacksonville University on Nov. 25, 2012. The Hazel Green, Ala., product also led on offense with 11 points, followed by Gretchen Morrison with eight and Kiana Johnson who finished with six.
The Gamecocks (6-5) were held to their lowest shooting percentage of the season at 24 percent, just 15-of-63 from the floor. GSU didn't shine offensively either as the Jax State defense yet again held its opponent to under 60 points for the eighth time in 11 games.
The opening half proved to be a difficult one scoring for the Gamecocks who shot just 28 percent (8-29) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes of action. Following Morrison's second three-pointer late in the first quarter that put JSU up 12-8, Jax State was outscored over the next 12-plus minutes, 21-7.
JSU quickly cut the deficit in half in the first two minutes of the third, with baskets from Pearson and Taylor Hawks to make it 29-24, but GSU soon stretched the margin back to double figures.
Trailing by 15 entering the final quarter, Kiana Johnson stole the opening inbound from the Panthers and took it to the hoop in what looked like it may be the spark the Gamecocks needed for a late rally. The Panthers were limited to just two points for the first 5:50 of the final period, unfortunately during that time Jax State could only cut the deficit to 11.
The Gamecocks now break for the Christmas holiday and will return to action at home on Dec. 28 to open Ohio Valley Conference play against Eastern Kentucky.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 74, EVANSVILLE 65
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri women's basketball defeated the Evansville Purple Aces 74-65 on Tuesday afternoon.
Southeast got off the hot start snagging an early 8-0 lead. Evansville didn't panic though, as they answered the opening run with a 9-0 run of their own, securing the lead. Both teams went back and forth the remainder of the quarter.
At the end of one, SEMO trailed Evansville 15-14.
Evansville continued to be aggressive to start the second quarter, grabbing a quick six point advantage. However, the Redhawks turned up the defense and allowed zero field goals the last 5:21 of the second period, allowing Southeast to reclaim the lead.
At half, Southeast led 25-24.
The Redhawks strong play continued into the third quarter, but Evansville stayed right with them answering every basket. With about three minutes left though, Southeast was able to go on a mini run and to stretch the lead to seven heading into the fourth. Southeast poured in 27 points in the period while also recording seven steals as team.
The Redhawks were up 52-45 heading into the final period.
The Purple Aces came out hot in the fourth quarter, immediately trimming a seven point deficit to just one point at 55-54 with 7:21 remaining. At that moment though, Southeast went on a 10-0 run over the span of a little under three minutes. That spurt led to a nice cushion that Southeast was able to maintain the rest of the game, leading them to a nine point victory.
Adrianna Murphy had one of her best games in her career as a Redhawk narrowly missing a triple-double. Murphy put up a career-high 26 points, and a season-high 10 assists, nine rebounds and five steals.
Deja Jones added 13 points and four rebounds for Southeast.
Ashton Luttrull and Tesia Thompson each chipped in 11 points for the Redhawks as well.
This game concludes non-conference play for the Redhawks. They ended with a 5-7 record against non-OVC opponents.
Southeast will have a little time off for Christmas before they get ready for OVC play against Belmont. That game is set for Dec. 28 at 5:15 p.m. at the Show Me Center.
MOREHEAD STATE 73, ST. FRANCIS BROOKLYN 59
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Morehead State defeated Saint Francis Brooklyn, 73-59, to extend its winning streak to seven straight games. With the win, the Eagles improved to 9-3 on the season.
Eriel McKee led the team with 18 points while Erin Blaine notched a double-double with 17 points and a team-best 12 boards. Tierra McGowan also had a double-double with 15 points and a team-best 12 rebounds. Darianne Seward chipped in 11 points and led the team with five assists.
Morehead State will travel to No. 9 West Virginia on Thursday.