Golden Eagles dispatch Redhawks, keeping race alive for top spot
February 25, 2013

Golden Eagles dispatch Redhawks, keeping race alive for top spot

The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team dispatched the Southeast Missouri Redhawks Monday night in Cape Girardeau, 64-51, for a key road victory in the Golden Eagles race for the top seed in the Ohio Valley Conference.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team dispatched the Southeast Missouri Redhawks Monday night in Cape Girardeau, 64-51, for a key road victory in the Ohio Valley Conference. It was a must-win for the Golden Eagles to stay in the hunt for the league's top seed. 

Four different Tech players scored in the double-figures, highlighted by T'Keyah Williams recording her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Lashay Davis and Jala Harris had game-highs of 15 points each.  Davis went 3-for-6 from behind the arc, making two in the second half. 

Senior Kellie Cook also tossed in three 3-pointers, finishing 3-for-4 from behind the arc for nine points, while Diamond Henderson finished with 11, shooting 50 percent from the floor. 

The Golden Eagles opened the contest putting the pressure on the Redhawks in a rare full-court press. SEMO struggled to find a rhythm but Tech settled into the nest, shooting 47 percent from the floor, pushing out to a 21-9 lead halfway through the first. 

Tech spread the floor, thanks to exceptional guard play, but key defensive stops stiffled the Redhawks as the Golden Eagles turned up seven steals in the first 20 minutes of play. The Golden Eagles headed into the locker room with a 35-24 advantage.

The second half began with a streak of shots by the Golden Eagles as Tech scored in its first four possessions. Harris struck first on a jumper from the top of the key before intercepting a SEMO pass and finding Davis on the break. Davis then hit a wide-open three in the corner, forcing a Redhawk timeout three minutes into the half. Unfazed, Kellie Cook threw in another three to give Tech it's largest lead of the game at 19 at the 15:44 mark. 

Eight minutes and 37 seconds later, the Golden Eagles made their first field goal since taking the 19-point lead. The Redhawks held Tech to just two free throws during the stretch. Williams broke the draught at 6:17, but the Redhawks kept charging, coming within eight. Williams kept the Golden Eagles ahead, thanks to physcial play in the paint. 

Williams scored six points in the final minutes of the game but Davis sealed the deal with two free throws to end the game, 64-51. 

Tech returns to the Eblen Center for its final two games of the regular season, beginning Thursday when Eastern Kentucky visits for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.

According to head coach Jim Davis, "Thursday is the biggest game of the year. It's a tremendous opportunity for Tennessee Tech women's basketball. We need the home court advantage, so get there early, wear purple and be proud."

For ticket information, visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940. It;s Fan Appreciation Week, so fans will receive one free ticket with each ticket purchased.