November 4, 2010

Women open in high gear, dismantle Bryan College 102-31

Four players hit double digits and 11 were in the scoring column as Tennessee Tech downed Bryan College, 102-31, in a women's basketball exhibition contest Thursday night in Eblen Center.

Photo: Freshman point guard Briana Jordan and the Golden Eagles had a solid debut Thursday night in Eblen Center

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --. – It was only an exhibition contest, but the team that coach Sytia Messer put on display Thursday night in the Eblen Center was mighty impressive. The Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team put six newcomers into the mix with six returnees and cruised to a 102-31 victory over Bryan College.

While it doesn’t officially count in the records, it was the first 100-point game by a Golden Eagle women’s squad in 10 years, since beating Morehead State 103-74 in the 2000-01 season.

Freshman Diamond Henderson began her Tech career with 22 points, four assists and seven steals to headline the attack, one of four Golden Eagles to score in double figures. Junior transfer Brittany Darling had 14 points and a team-high five rebounds, Tiara Hopper added 11 points and Krystal Stirrup scored 10.

Freshman point guard Briana Jordan also had a standout effort with nine points and seven assists. Kylie Cook added nine points while Tacarra Hayes (photo below) had eight points and five assists.

Sophomore Katherine Barker chipped in with eight points, four rebounds, two assists and four steals.

The top scorer for Bryan College was Anna Thomas with nine, while Shea Thomas and Sara Barnett had five each.

The Golden Eagles wasted no time is establishing their gameplan, with uptempo play from end to end. Tech moved the ball around to find good looks to the tune of 63 percent shooting in the opening half. The Golden Eagles finished the game hitting 57.1 percent, going 40-for-70. They were 7-for-18 from the arc and hit 75 percent (15-for-20) at the free throw line.

With nine different players notching marks in the scorebook in the first half as Tech rolled to a 54-12 lead at the intermission. Brittany Darling topped the chart with 13 points at the break while Diamond Henderson had nine, Tacarra Hayes eight and Briana Jordan seven.

The Tech defense was also outstanding, holding the Lion women to 25 percent shooting and forcing 20 turnovers. For the game, Bryan improved to 31.6 percent shooting by hitting 39 percent in the second half, but the Lions were tagged with 41 turnovers. Tech had 23 steals.

The Golden Eagle get the regular season underway on Monday, Nov. 15, when they return to the Eblen Center floor to host Alabama A&M in a 7 p.m. non-conference contest.

Season and individual game tickets are on sale online at TTUsports.com, at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or by calling (931) 372-3940.