COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by relentless effort on the glass and a staggering individual performance, Tennessee Tech survived a furious Eastern Illinois comeback and a season-high 27 points and 27 rebounds from LaReesha Cawthorn to defeat the Panthers 75-70 in overtime Saturday in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball clash at Eblen Center.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final minutes of regulation, where Eastern Illinois, trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half and 12 early in the fourth quarter, mounted a stunning rally to force the extra period. The Panthers, who had struggled offensively for much of the second half, closed the fourth quarter on a 13-4 run. The surge was capped by a critical three-pointer from Nyah Hardy with 51 seconds remaining, pulling Eastern Illinois to within 65-67. After a Tennessee Tech turnover, the Panthers had a chance to tie or take the lead but committed a shot clock violation with 9 seconds left.

Tennessee Tech’s Reagan Hurst then missed the front end of a one-and-one with 7.6 seconds on the clock, giving Eastern Illinois one final possession. Clara Glad drove and found Ella Lune, who was fouled on a three-point attempt with 2.6 seconds left and her team down by two. Lune missed the first two free throws before coolly sinking the third to send the game to overtime, completing the Panthers’ comeback from a 47-35 deficit late in the third quarter.

However, the Golden Eagles, bolstered by a monumental rebounding advantage, dominated the overtime period. Tennessee Tech secured 24 offensive rebounds leading to 23 second-chance points, repeatedly extending possessions and wearing down the Panthers defense. Cawthorn, a 6-foot sophomore from Franklin, Kentucky, was the primary force, grabbing 12 offensive boards herself. Her final stat line of 27 points and 27 rebounds in 37 minutes was a program record and one of the most dominant performances in the nation this season. She added four blocks.

Eastern Illinois, which fell to 4-21 overall, could muster only three points in the extra session, missing all five of its field goal attempts. Tennessee Tech scored eight points in overtime, with key free throws from Chloe Larry and Reghan Grimes sealing the victory. The Golden Eagles improved to 13-9.

The game was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Eastern Illinois shot a respectable 44.1% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range but was undone by 16 turnovers and the massive rebounding disparity. Tennessee Tech, conversely, struggled mightily with its shot, connecting on just 34.9% from the floor and a dismal 15% from beyond the arc. Their 83 field goal attempts, fueled by those offensive rebounds, were 24 more than the Panthers took.

Tiny Lewis led Eastern Illinois with 17 points, while Ella Lune added 14 points and eight rebounds. Nyah Hardy scored 14 points, and Kennedy Davis contributed seven points and 10 rebounds. For Tennessee Tech, Reghan Grimes posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Reagan Hurst also scored 13 points.

The Golden Eagles raced out to an 18-11 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 28-14 in the second before Eastern Illinois closed the half on a 21-0 run to take a 35-28 lead into halftime. The Panthers’ momentum carried into the third, building a 59-52 lead, but a scoring drought of over six minutes allowed Tennessee Tech to claw back and set the stage for the dramatic finish.

The attendance was 905. Eastern Illinois next plays at Western Illinois on Tuesday. Tennessee Tech hosts Morehead State on Thursday.