COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team will be playing its fifth consecutive road contest to begin the 2009-10 season on Saturday when the Golden Eagles travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., for a match-up against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.
Tech has begun the season with a 1-3 record, finishing with a 1-1 mark at the Islander Tip-Off Classic in Corpus Christi, Texas, to kick off the season before dropping its last two games against No. 4/8 Baylor and No. 19/23 Louisville.
Sophomore Tacarra Hayes has been the leader for Tennessee Tech so far this season, pacing the Golden Eagles in scoring (17.3 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg) and assists (3.3 apg). Her 17.3 points per game average is also tops in the OVC.
Hayes was the lone Golden Eagle to reach double-digits in scoring last Sunday against Louisville as she finished with a game-high 20 points in a 84-54 loss to the Cardinals.
Freshmen Kellie Cook and Kylie Cook have made an instant impact in their first seasons as Golden Eagles. Kellie is second on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg), while Kylie is third (11.0 ppg) and leads the team with 11 made 3-pointers and nine steals.
It is anyone's guess who will start for the Golden Eagles on Saturday as Tech has used four different starting lineups in each of their first four games. TTU has started at least three freshmen in each game thus far.
Tech leads the all-time series between the two teams, 50-35, but seeks its first win at the Murphy Center since the 2001-02 season. Middle Tennessee State has owned the series of late, winning eight of the last 10 match-ups, including each of the past four.
After opening the season ranked No. 24 in the AP preseason poll, Middle Tennessee (2-2) dropped out of the top-25 following a loss to Louisiana State University. The Blue Raiders bounced back with a win against OVC-member Austin Peay before picking up their second loss of the season on Wednesday against the Tennessee Lady Vols.
Middle Tennessee is led by senior All-American Alysha Clark who is averaging 27.3 points and 14.0 rebounds through the team's first four games.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro. All of the action will be available on the radio through the Golden Eagles Sports Network, while live stats will be available through Middle Tennessee's Web site, www.goblueraiders.com.
On Monday, Tech begins its home schedule against Lipscomb at the Eblen Center. Single game and season tickets are available through the Golden Eagle ticket office by calling 372-3940 or visiting TTUsports.com.
