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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team held on to defeat host Tennessee Tech, 74-70, on Monday night at the Eblen Center. It was the Lady Colonels' first win in Cookeville since January 6, 2003.

With the crucial Ohio Valley Conference East victory, EKU improves to 14-9 (8-4 OVC) on the year. TTU drops to 10-17 (7-6 OVC).

The Lady Colonels led by 14 points, 63-49, with 9:29 to play in the game. However, Tennessee Tech exploded on a 12-1 run to pull within three, 64-61, with 4:11 on the clock.

EKU used free throws to reestablish a lead and went up 71-65 when sophomore Shelly Harper converted one of two with 36 seconds on the clock. Diamond Henderson, however, buried a three-pointer on Tech's ensuing possession to again make it a one-possession game, 71-68.

Freshman Michaela Hunter was fouled on EKU's inbounds play and calmly sank both free throws to give the Lady Colonels some breathing room. Senior Marie Carpenter then came up with a steal and converted one of two free throws to seal the win.

Carpenter led Eastern with 25 points, 19 of which came in the first half. She sank 6-of-9 three-pointers on the night.

Carpenter led four Lady Colonels in double figures. Senior Pilar Walker nearly had her second double-double of the season, scoring 11 points, dropping nine assists and turning the ball over only once. Sophomore Miranda Maples also scored 11 points while Hunter finished with 10 points and four rebounds.

EKU shot 43 percent (23-of-53) from the field and 62 percent (8-of-13) from deep in the win.

Henderson paced TTU with 28 points on the night. Kayla Brewer grabbed 16 rebounds for the Golden Eagles.

Eastern set the tone early in the game, as Carpenter buried a three-pointer 19 seconds into regulation and then knocked down another triple to give the Lady Colonels a 15-2 advantage with 14:51 remaining in the first half.

Tech pulled to within five, 28-23, on a layup by Henderson with 5:53 remaining in the half, but a put back by freshman Cierra Drake sent the Lady Colonels into the locker room at halftime up by 10, 40-30.

EKU did not commit a turnover in the first seven minutes of the second half and grabbed a commanding 14-point lead, 63-49, when Walker connected on a three-pointer just under the 10-minute mark.

The Lady Colonels return to action on Saturday, February 22, when they face Austin Peay in Clarksville. Tip is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. ET.