After a slow start, East Tennessee State University women’s basketball rallied in the second half to defeat Tennessee Tech 53-48, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Bucs overcame struggles early on and tightened up defensively in the second half to secure the win.
The Golden Eagles (4-2) jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, but the women quickly found a rhythm led by senior Braylyn Milton, who scored seven points in the first quarter. Tech responded with an 8-0 run of its own, pushing ahead to a 27-21 lead at halftime. Peyton Carter led the Golden Eagles in the first half with 11 points, including three 3-pointers in the second quarter.
The third quarter is where ETSU took the reins. Milton took over the game, scoring 10 of the team’s 15 points in the period. The Bucs also turned up the defensive pressure, forcing 10 turnovers from Tennessee Tech, including eight in the first nine possessions of the half. The defense allowed ETSU’s offense to spark.
With just under four minutes left in the quarter, Tennessee Tech’s Carter hit a clutch 3-pointer to put the Golden Eagles ahead 46-44, but Milton answered with a three-pointer of her own, regaining the lead for the Bucs at 47-46. A layup from Kendall Folley extended ETSU’s lead to 49-46, and the Bucs sealed the win with four free throws in the final minute, clinching the 53-48 victory.
Milton finished with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, while Courtney Moore added 10. Despite committing 20 turnovers, ETSU capitalized on Tech’s mistakes, scoring 20 points off those giveaways. Turnovers by the Bucs are still devastating and leave them in tight situations late in games, but their ability to score off of opponents turnovers makes this team resilient and gives them a chance to always be in the game.
With the win, ETSU improves to 2-4 on the season.
