ALGOOD, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team weathered a late surge from Tennessee State to secure a 69-63 victory in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup Tuesday night at Eblen Center, extending its strong start to the season.

The Golden Eagles, now 10-1 overall, built a steady lead through the middle quarters and held off a determined fourth-quarter rally by the visiting Tigers, who fell to 2-10.

A low-scoring first quarter ended in a 13-13 deadlock, but Tennessee Tech began to create separation before halftime. Outscoring Tennessee State 18-16 in the second period, the Golden Eagles took a 31-29 lead into the break. They maintained that momentum after halftime, matching another 18-point quarter while holding the Tigers to 14, stretching the advantage to 49-43 heading into the final frame.

Tennessee State mounted its most significant challenge in the fourth quarter, erupting for 20 points. A driving layup by XaiOnna Whitfield with 16 seconds remaining cut the deficit to 68-63, injecting late drama. The Tigers were forced to foul, and LaReesha Cawthorn hit one of two free throws for the Golden Eagles with 14 seconds left to seal the six-point margin.

Erin Martin led Tennessee State with 15 points and added a block in 25 minutes of action. Whitfield, a guard from Oxford, Alabama, provided a team-high 16 points and two assists. Kiki Roberts contributed eight points for the Tigers.

Tennessee Tech’s attack was more balanced, with four players scoring in double figures. Reagan Hurst, a guard from Baxter, Tennessee, paced the Golden Eagles with 14 points and two assists in 30 minutes. Cawthorn, a forward from Franklin, Kentucky, recorded a double-double with 10 points and a key block. Amaya Redd scored seven points off the bench, and Chloe Larry facilitated the offense with six points and four assists.

The game was characterized by physical defense and turnovers, with both teams struggling to find consistent offensive rhythm. Tennessee Tech ultimately capitalized on its opportunities at the free-throw line down the stretch to close out the win.

The announced attendance was 1,012.

The victory keeps Tennessee Tech near the top of the OVC standings as conference play continues. The Golden Eagles travel to face Arkansas-Little Rock on Thursday. Tennessee State looks to rebound on the road at Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday.