By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team returns home on Saturday following a grueling first four games of the seasons on the road. On Saturday, the Golden Eagles host No. 22 Georgia at 6 p.m.
The ranked Bulldogs come into Cookeville with a 6-0 record this season, and hold a 9-0 record against the Golden Eagles since 1981.
Despite the record, the history between these two programs runs deeper than the numbers.
Georgia head coach Andy Landers, a Maryville, Tenn., native, earned both his bachelor's and master's from Tennessee Tech. In 1974, he earned his bachelor's in physical education and the following year he earned his master's in the same field.
Another way these two programs share ties is through Roane State Community College. In 1 975, a young Landers took over as head coach at RSCC until following the 1978-79 season, when legendary Georgia football coach turned athletic director hired a 26-year-old Landers as the head coach of Georgia women's basketball.
With Lander's moving on to the University of Georgia, Roane State was in need of a new head coach. RSCC turned to one of Tennessee's most successful high school coach in Jim Davis. Davis spent five seasons at RSCC, racking up a 127-35 record before making his jump to division one, when he was hired by Middle Tennessee.
Davis and Landers have played each other nine times in the past, all while Davis was at Clemson from 1987-2005. Landers leads the rivalry with six wins, while Davis recorded three.
On Saturday, before the game where these two coaches and programs each match up for the 10th time, respectively, Coach Landers and his wife, Pam, who is also a Tennessee Tech alum, will be honored by the university as influential and prominent alumni.
Fans can get tickets for the TTU women's game by going online to TTUSports.com or calling the TTU Ticket office at 931-372-3940.
THINGS TO KNOW
Radio: 106.1 FM - The Eagle – Dylan Vazzano
Webcast: Golden Eagle Sports Network via OVC Digital Network - Dylan Vazzano
Livestats: TTUSports.com
FASTBREAK POINTS
• Last season, Tech went 8-4 inside the Hooper Eblen Center
• Over the last 20 seasons, Tech has gone 11-9 in home openers.
• Georgia is one of three opponents from the Peach State that TTU faces this season. (@ Mercer, L:67-73, @ Georgia State on 12/13)
• TTU is averaging 65.8 points and 30.8 rebounds per game
GEORGIA GIRLS
Tech's roster features two players from Georgia. Both Asia Harper and Yaktavia "Shug" Hickson hail from the peach state. Hickson, a Stone Mountian native, was one of just two girls from Georgia to be named to the Prospect Nation's Elite 150. She also helped Columbia High to back to back state championships in 2012 and 2013 for Class AAAA. Harper, a Fayetteville native, won the Class AAAA Georgia State Championship in her junior season with Fayette County High.
LAST TIME OUT
In Macon, Ga., Tech took on host Mercer University in a hard-fought battle. Tech opened the game slow, allowing the Bears to jump to an early lead. However, the Golden Eagles responded and took a six-point lead into halftime. After the break, the hosts took back the lead with a vengeance.
Tech managed to keep the score respectable, losing 73-76, but the Bears were aggressive in taking the victory.
Junior Samaria Howard led TTU with 15 points, while freshman Yaktavia "Shug" Hickson added 11 and junior Mariah Dean put down 10. Sophomore guard Shunice Tionne Herron had a solid all-around game, scoring six points, dishing out a season-high six assists and grabbing three boards.
SLOW COOKIN'
Over the past 11 years, the month of November has been a slow one. The Golden Eagles are 25-37 in the month of November:
2014.................................................... 1-3
2013.................................................... 3-4
2012.................................................... 3-3
2011.................................................... 3-5
2010.................................................... 4-0
2009.................................................... 3-4
2008.................................................... 0-5
2007.................................................... 1-4
2006.................................................... 1-4
2005.................................................... 3-1
2004.................................................... 3-1
2003.................................................... 0-3
Total .................................................. 25-37
