By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team continues its busy week as it heads to Lipscomb University for a 6:30 p.m. CST showdown on Thursday evening.
Tech's game versus the Bisons is the second of four within seven days.
The Golden Eagles are looking to build off a 70-66 home win over South Alabama on Tuesday. Tech junior Samaria Howard had the best game of her young TTU career on Tuesday night, as she led the Golden Eagles to a win to break the seven-game losing streak. Howard scored a career-high 23 points, but more importantly she connected on 11 of her 13 free throw attempts, six of which came in the final two and a half minutes of the game. Howard's hustle effort was also show as she led the Golden Eagles in rebounding with seven boards. She also added an assist and a block.
Sophomore Hannah Goolsby finished with 12 points, two rebounds, and assist and a block, while freshman Yaktavia "Shug" Hickson added 12 points, four steals, three rebounds, and two assists.
Tech was topped in most shooting categories, however they out defended the Jaguars but tallying eight steals to USA's six, and out blocking them nine to six. The Golden Eagles also won the battle at the free throw stripe, shooting 69.7 percent on 23 of 33, while USA shot just 45.5 percent on five of 11.
Tennessee Tech (2-7) at Lipscomb (3-6)
Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014
6:30 p.m. CST
The Broadcasts
Radio: 106.1 FM - The Eagle - Dylan Vazzano
Webcast: ESPN3
Live Stats: LipscombSports.com
SETTING THE STAGE
These two instate foes have faced each other four times since 2008. Tech won the first three meetings from the 2008-09 season through the 2010-11 season, while the Lady Bisons took the most recent meeting in 2011-12, 66-61. Tech is 2-0 in Nashville, while tied 1-1 in Cookeville competitions.
The Lady Bisons are 3-6 and coming off a dominating performance against Jackson State Tuesday night. Senior Sara Bliss led the Purple and Gold collecting 17 points in the 72-45 result. Lipscomb held the Lady Tigers to their second-lowest point total this season. Tuesday night's victory over Jackson State broke a three-game losing streak at LU's Allen Arena.
Lipscomb's Ashley Souther is averaging 14.6 points and 8.3 boards, while Sara Bliss is averaging 11.6 and 3.8 rebounds. Adding double-digit scoring is Danay Fothergill with 10.7 points and 3.3 boards.
As a team, the Lady Bisons are scoring 63.3 points on just 38.6 percent shooting. LU is 2-3 at home this season, and 1-3 on the road.
Tech is 2-7 on the season after grabbing its second win the season on Tuesday night. Tech is 1-6 on the road after spending a majority of its preseason away from the Hooper Eblen Center.
Junior Samaria Howard is averaging 15 points per game, while grabbing a team-high 5.7 rebounds. Sophomore Hannah Goolsby is averaging 9.3 points on the season, adding 2.1 boards. Freshman Yaktavia "Shug" Hickson is adding 8.9 points while recording a team-high 15 steals. Senior center Candace Parson has averaged 8.8 points so far this season, adding 5.4 rebounds.
