Monmouth Falls to Tennessee Tech in NCAA Tournament First Four
Hunter Peters
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (March 16, 2023) – Tennessee Tech knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers, shooting 46.2 percent from behind the arc, to defeat Monmouth 79-69 in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament Saturday night at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
Tennessee Tech extended its winning streak to nine games and improved to 23-9, setting up a date with top-seeded Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Monmouth, which made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1983, finishes its inaugural CAA
season 18-16.
Maaliya Owens and Jada Guinn were two of Tennessee Tech’s four players in double figures, leading all scorers with 18 points each. In addition, Jordan Brock matched a season-high with 16 points for the Golden Eagles off the bench.
Ariana Vanderhoop scored a team-high 17 points for the Hawks, while Lucy Thomas added 16 points and a team-best six rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.
It was a highly competitive first quarter, with six lead changes and three ties. Monmouth led 10-8 with 5:48 remaining before Tennessee Tech hit three three-pointers in its next four possessions to take a 17-12 advantage. The Hawks responded with five straight points, including Vanderhoop tying the game at 17 at the end of the frame.
After a free throw by the Golden Eagles, Monmouth rallied off a 6-0 spurt, taking a 23-18 lead three minutes into the second quarter. However, Tennessee Tech caught fire, going 8-of-8 from the floor and 5-for-5 from behind the arc over the final 6:38. A 10-0 run allowed the Golden Eagles to open a 38-29 lead with two minutes remaining in the half. Vanderhoop cut the deficit to 40-33 at the break with a jumper in the final minute.
The teams traded threes over the first 2:49 of the third quarter. Bri Tinsley converted a three-point play at the 5:08 mark, pulling Monmouth with four at 43-39. The Golden Eagles responded with an 11-3 run to gain a 54-42 lead before Lovin Marsicano scored the final bucket of the quarter.
Tennessee Tech gained its largest lead after back-to-back baskets gave the Golden Eagles a 62-49 advantage with 6:51 remaining. Monmouth made one last effort, with a 7-0 run capped by a three from Jen Louro to pull the Hawks within six (62-56), but it's as close as they would get. Tennessee Tech pushed the lead back to double-digits and made 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch.
The Golden Eagles, who average 6.5 three-pointers per game, tallied a season-best 12 makes from behind the arc while limiting Monmouth to six trifectas and 26.1 percent shooting from long range. It marks the first time in eight games the Hawks failed to make at least seven three-pointers in a game.
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