ALGOOD, Tenn. (Interstat) — Southern Indiana outlasted Tennessee Tech 71-69 in overtime Thursday night in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball game at Eblen Center. The Screaming Eagles, who trailed by two after the first quarter, used a 20-point third quarter to build a lead before the Golden Eagles forced overtime. Southern Indiana outscored Tennessee Tech 12-10 in the extra period to secure the road victory. Ali Saunders led Southern Indiana. Chloe Larry paced Tennessee Tech. The win improved Southern Indiana to 12-4 overall. Tennessee Tech fell to 10-5. Attendance was 833.

ALGOOD, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by its final frantic seconds, Ali Saunders sank two decisive free throws with eight seconds remaining in overtime to lift Southern Indiana to a dramatic 71-69 victory over Tennessee Tech in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball thriller on Thursday night at Eblen Center. The contest, played before an announced crowd of 833, was a back-and-forth affair featuring 11 ties and 14 lead changes, ultimately requiring an extra period to settle after Tennessee Tech’s Reghan Grimes hit a clutch three-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 59-59 and force overtime. Southern Indiana, the visiting Screaming Eagles, improved to 12-4 overall. The home-standing Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech fell to 10-5. The most critical sequence unfolded in the closing moments of overtime. With Southern Indiana clinging to a 69-67 lead, Tennessee Tech’s Chloe Larry was fouled on a three-point attempt with six seconds left. Larry, who finished with a game-high-tying 23 points, made the first two free throws to knot the score at 69-69 but missed the third. Southern Indiana’s Shannon Blacher secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled. Blacher missed the first of her two free throws, but made the second to put the Screaming Eagles ahead 70-69 with six ticks on the clock. On the ensuing inbound play, Southern Indiana’s defensive pressure forced a turnover. Saunders was fouled with eight seconds remaining and calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to 71-69. Tennessee Tech’s Reagan Hurst missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer to seal the outcome. Saunders, a 5-foot-10 guard from Depauw, Indiana, was the engine for Southern Indiana, delivering a stellar all-around performance with 23 points, eight assists and three steals in 45 minutes of action. Her backcourt partner, Shannon Blacher of Burr Ridge, Illinois, added nine points and six assists. The Screaming Eagles’ interior defense was anchored by Chloe Gannon, a 6-foot-2 forward from Manchester, Tennessee, who recorded a formidable six blocked shots to go with 14 points. Sophia Loden contributed 12 points for Southern Indiana. Tennessee Tech was led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Larry, who added two assists and a block to her 23 points, and Reagan Hurst, who finished with 10 points and three assists. In the frontcourt, LaReesha Cawthorn of Franklin, Kentucky, posted 14 points and Reghan Grimes of Nashville added 12 points and three assists. The game’s tempo was set early, with Tennessee Tech taking a 16-14 lead after the first quarter. The Golden Eagles maintained a narrow 29-27 advantage at halftime. Southern Indiana surged in the third quarter, outscoring Tech 20-18 to tie the game at 47-47 heading into the final frame. Both teams scored 12 points in a tense fourth quarter, setting the stage for Grimes’ late heroics and the overtime drama. Southern Indiana shot from the floor, from three-point range and from the free throw line. Tennessee Tech shot from the floor, from three-point range and from the free throw line. The victory extends Southern Indiana’s winning streak to three games, following conference wins over Southeast Missouri State and Tennessee-Martin. The Screaming Eagles’ next contest is at Tennessee State on Saturday. Tennessee Tech, which had its two-game win streak snapped, looks to rebound at home against Morehead State, also on Saturday. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Tennessee Tech entered the game with a 70.10 percent probability to win, making Southern Indiana’s gritty road victory a significant result in the OVC standings.

SOUTHERN INDIANA, TENNESSEE TECH SET FOR OVC SHOWDOWN ALGOOD, Tenn. (Interstat) — A pivotal early-season Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball clash is set for Thursday when the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles visit the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Eblen Center. Both teams enter with strong overall records, setting the stage for a tight conference battle. Southern Indiana is 11-4, while Tennessee Tech is 10-4. The Screaming Eagles have won two straight, including a 52-43 defensive win over Tennessee-Martin on Saturday. Guard Shannon Blacher led the way in that victory, scoring 20 points in 35 minutes. Blacher is averaging 12.0 points over her last five games and will be a key offensive catalyst for Southern Indiana. Tennessee Tech looks to rebound after back-to-back road losses at Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois. The Golden Eagles fell 77-60 at Western Illinois on Saturday despite a 16-point, five-rebound effort from guard Chloe Larry. Larry has been consistently productive, scoring in double figures in four of her last six contests. Southern Indiana’s defense has been formidable, holding opponents to 55 points or fewer in four of its last five wins. Tennessee Tech will counter with an offense that has scored at least 74 points in three of its last five home games. The Golden Eagles hold a 6-2 advantage at home this season. Southern Indiana is 4-3 in true road games. This marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They are scheduled to meet again in Evansville, Indiana, on Feb. 14. Following this game, Southern Indiana will travel to face Tennessee State on Saturday. Tennessee Tech will remain at home to host Morehead State that same day. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.