By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After a heartbreaker at home against Southeast Missouri, the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (5-14, 1-5 OVC) is ready to get back in action against Tennessee State (9-9, 4-1 OVC) in a 6 p.m. contest, Thursday night at Eblen Center.
Tech is on a five-game losing streak with their only conference win coming from their OVC opener against Eastern Illinois.
Tennessee State currently sits third in the conference standings, holding a 4-1 OVC record. The Tigers are on a four-game winning streak, dropping only their conference opener at Southeast Missouri.
Looking at the series, the Golden Eagles lead with a 52-12 record; however, the Tigers saw victory most recently in the 2014-15 season when TSU topped Tech 66-57.
Golden Eagle senior Samaria Howard stands as the leagues second leading scorer (behind Shronda Butts from SIUE who averages 21.3 points per game). Howard averages 19.7 points and 5.7 boards per game. She shoots 39.8 percent from the field, 27.8 percent from the 3-point range, and 76.3 percent from the line.
Howard's 19.7 points per game rank her 28th in the NCAA, while her 374 total points on the season rank her 12th. Her 100 made free throws rank her 8th nationally and her 132 made field goals rank her 21st. Howard grabbed her first two double-doubles of the season last week at UT Martin (14 points and 11 boards) and then at home against Southeast Missouri (21 points and 10 rebounds).
Alliyah Smith is Tech's big defender below the hoop. Smith averages 6.9 boards per game, ranking her 9th in the OVC. She also averages 5.1 points per game and shoots 42.2 percent from the floor.
As a team, the Golden Eagles average 60 points, 36.2 boards, and 19.2 turnovers per game. Tech shoots 38.8 percent from the field, 27.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 67.8 percent from the line.
Tennessee State shoots 35.9 percent from the floor, 28.4 percent from the 3-point range, and 66.7 percent from the line. The Tigers average 62.3 points, 40.1 rebounds, and 19.2 turnovers per game.
Jayda Johnson leads TSU, averaging 15 points (8th in the OVC) and 6.9 rebounds per game (11th in the OVC). She shoots 39.4 percent from the floor, 26.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 67.5 percent from the line.
I'mani Davis is another key player on the Tiger team. Davis averages 13.4 points (14th in the OVC) and 7.3 rebounds per game (4th in the OVC). She shoots 40.4 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from the 3-point range, and 72.1 percent from the line.
For ticket information, visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931-372-3940).
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