By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (7-15, 3-6 OVC) returns home to Eblen Center after being stuck in Kentucky for six days due to inclement weather conditions to host Belmont University (13-7, 5-2 OVC) in a 5:30 p.m. contest on Saturday.
The Golden Eagle's two-game winning streak was recently snapped at Morehead State, when the Eagles made a late game rally to top Tech 75-71. Belmont comes to Cookeville hot off a five-game winning streak, only dropping their first two conference matches at Southeast Missouri and SIUE.
The Bruins are currently third in conference with a 5-2 OVC record, while the Golden Eagles are placed 11th, maintaining a 3-6 record in conference play.
Samaria Howard leads Tech averaging 20.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Howard has scored in double-figures for all 22 of the Golden Eagle's games thus far this season, including 13, 20+ point games. She shoots 40.5 percent from the floor, 27.1 percent from the 3-point range, and 77.9 percent from the line. Howard's 20.6 points per game rank her secnd in the OVC and 20th in the NCAA. Her 453 total points on the season rank her eighth nationally, while her 162 made field goals and 116 made free throws rank her seventh.
Candace Parson has had a positive impact on the Tech team since returning to the lineup on Jan. 23. Parson has scored in double figures both games she has played in and is averaging 3.5 boards and 11 points per game.
Senior Mariah Dean had a strong showing in the Golden Eagle's last game at Morehead State. Dean led the team to tie a school record of 12 blocks in a game, posting 6 by herself (also a personal career-high). She also grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds in the game and rounded out a stellar performance with eight points and two assists.
As a team, Tech averages 61.7 points and 36.4 rebounds per game. The Golden Eagles shoot 39.4 percent from the field, 28.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 69.6 percent from the line.
Belmont averages 73.4 points and 41.9 boards per game. The Bruins shoot 45.1 percent from the floor, 37.7 percent from the 3-point range, and 71 percent from the line.
Kylee Smith leads Belmont averaging 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Smith shoots 39.7 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from the 3-point range, and 71.2 percent from the line.
Sally McCabe is another key player on the Bruin lineup. McCabe averages 12.1 points per game and leads Belmont in rebounds averaging 7.0 per game. McCabe shoots 52.8 percent from the floor, 32 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.2 percent from the line.
Tech lead the series 23-13 over Belmont, however, the Bruins were victorious most recently defeating the Golden Eagles in the 2014-15 season 64-62. Tech also holds the advantage in games at Cookeville with an 11-7 home record in the series.
Fans attending Tennessee Tech's Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader against Belmont on Saturday are encouraged to wear gold to the game in support of the Golden Eagles. Meanwhile, the first 1,500 fans into Eblen Center will receive a free Gold Rush t-shirt for the event.
The night is also Legends Night, on which Tech will recognize former Golden Eagle men's and women's basketball players and staff. In addition, it is Military and Public Safety Recognition Night, with free admission to members of the U.S. military and their immediate families, plus those who serve in public safety positions.
For additional information on any of the events scheduled that night, or ticket information for the remainder of the season, please call (931) 372-3940.
You can follow the Golden Eagles online on Facebook and on Twitter at @TTUWBB and @TTUGoldenEagles.
