BRENTWOOD, Tenn. --- Tennessee Tech senior Tacarra Hayes has been named the adidas Ohio Valley Conference’s Player of the Week.

The results were announced Tuesday, with Eastern Kentucky’s Jade Barber receiving the Newcomer of the Week award and SIU-Edwardsville’s Katie Hempen earning the Freshman of the Week award.

This is Hayes’ first OVC Player of the Week award of the season, and sixth of her career. She received the honor three times last season.

A 5-7 guard out of Lebanon, Ky., Hayes played a big part in Tech’s 1-1 record over the week against former OVC rivals Western Kentucky and Samford, pouring in a team-leading 57 points.

Hayes began the week with 30-point game against the Lady Toppers and followed with a 27-point showing against the Bulldogs. She also brought down 14 rebounds and averaged three assists and three steals per game. Hayes also showcased her free throw shooting abilities as she connected on 24-of-27 attempts for a scorching mark of 88.9 percent from the line.

The Golden Eagles travel to Louisiana for a pair of non-conference games set to begin Monday, starting with Louisiana Monroe at 7 p.m. TTU wraps up the road trip with a 2 p.m. tip Wednesday, Dec. 21 against Louisiana Tech before returning home for a 7 p.m. tipoff against Marshall on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Season tickets are on sale for the 2011-12 season and can be purchased at the Athletic Ticket Office in Eblen Center, or by calling (931) 372-3940.