January 14, 2013

Golden Eagles topped by EIU in high-scoring thriller

The women's basketball team was dethroned on the road Monday night by the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. The Golden Eagles dropped an 89-79 decision, as both teams shot lights out in Lantz Arena.

Tennessee Tech

10-8 (4-1 OVC)

Eastern Illinois

10-7 (4-1 OVC)

Final	1	2	T
Tennessee Tech 10-8 (4-1 OVC)	33	46	79
Eastern Illinois 10-7 (4-1 OVC)	37	52	89

Game Leaders

Tennessee Tech

Pts: Diamond Henderson - 28

Reb: Molly Heady - 5

Ast: Jala Harris - 5

Eastern Illinois

Pts: NIXON, Ta'Kenya - 23

Reb: NIXON, Ta'Kenya - 9

Ast: NIXON, Ta'Kenya - 6

Team Stats

Game Statistics	Tennessee Tech	Eastern Illinois
Field Goals	(30-57)	(30-59)
Field Goal %	52.6%	50.8%
Rebounds	23	35
Assists	10	19
Turnovers	15	15
Pts off Turnovers	21	17
2nd Chance Pts	8	11
Pts in the Paint	34	34
Fastbreak Pts	13	12
Bench Pts	16	17

Full stats

Charleston, Ill. -- The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team was dethroned on the road Monday night by the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. The Golden Eagles dropped an 89-79 decision, as both teams shot lights out in Lantz Arena.

How often does a team score 79 points and loose, or better yet, how often does a team shoot 52.6 percent from the floor, and shoot at 42.9 clip from behind the arc and lose? Tech did both of those, scored 21 points off EIU turnovers, had three players well into the double figures, but couldn't pull off a victory.

Despite the loss, Tech's offense again proved why it was the best in the conference, but it faced the second-best shooting team, and Monday night, allowed 52 points in the second half. The Golden Eagles (10-8/4-1 OVC) dropped their first conference contest. EIU improved to 10-7 overall and 4-1 in the league.

The Golden Eagles gave up 14 offensive rebounds, 12 fast break points and sent the Panthers to the foul line 24 times, giving up 22 points from the charity stripe.

Diamond Henderson shot just two points shy of her second 30-point game this season, and went 8-11 in the second half. Jala Harris and Lashay Davis each added 12 points, and five and three assists respectively.

T'Keyah Williams had seven points, with Kylie Cook adding five and Mariah Dean, Kellie Cook and Molly Heady each chipping in with four.

The Golden Eagles return to action Monday, Jan. 21, when they welcome OVC foe UT Martin to the Eblen Center. This will be the 61st meeting between these two teams, and a rematch of the 2012 OVC Tournament Championship. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

The game has been picked for Take a Kid to the Game night, offering one free youth admission with each paid adult admission. Call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931-372-3940) for more details.