2008 Woodie Awards
Tennessee Tech records 75-61 comeback win over Jax State
From Staff Reports
Issue date: 2/16/06 Section: Sports
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Tech, which trailed by as many as eight points in the second half, improved to 17-6 overall and remained in first place in the OVC standings with a 13-3 league record. JSU had its six-game winning streak snapped and slipped to 9-14/7-9 OVC.
"Our kids came in here and battled the top team in the conference," said JSU head coach Dave Dagostino. "We have a very young group of players and they played nose-to-nose with a very good Tech team."
The Gamecocks were on fire to open the contest, hitting from inside and outside on a 10-0 run to take an early 14-5 lead. Rebecca Haynes hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Courtney Slaughter scored two baskets.
Tech cut the lead to 16-12 before Jax State pushed the lead back to nine points on two more baskets by Slaughter and a 3-pointer from Ashley Boykin for a 25-16 lead, but Christian scored eight straight for TTU to cut the lead to 25-24 with 6:12 left.
The Gamecocks built a six point lead after Boykin sank three free throws after Tech head coach Bill Worrell received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game with 4:08 left in the half. Jax State held a 34-28 lead at the half, as Christian scored 19 points in the half for Tech.
In the second half, JSU pulled on top by eight points, 40-32, but the Eaglettes used a 10-2 run capped by a 3-pointer from Jana Reece to tie the game. After Courtney Slaughter's 3-pointer gave the visitors another three-point lead, Tech took their first lead of the second half on a layup from Lyons to give TTU a 47-45 advantage.
With Tech holding a slim 60-57 lead with 4:46 remaining, Lyons scored 10 straight points over the next four minutes to seal the win. Tennessee Tech finished 25-of-36 from the free throw line, while the Gamecocks were just 10-of-17.
Christian had 28 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots, while Lyons had 17 points, all in the second half, and Reece finished with 10 points.
Slaughter scored 19 points to lead Jacksonville State, while Haynes added 17 points and eight rebounds. Ann-Marie Healy finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.
"Most of our mistakes tonight was due to inexperience," said Dagostino. "But, we have four games to make some improvements and close the gap before we will face Tech again."
Jacksonville State will have a week off before returning to action next Thursday night against Eastern Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum.