By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (10-17, 6-8 OVC) will close out their regular season road contests on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. when the Golden Eagles take on Belmont (18-8, 10-3 OVC) in a 3 p.m. contest in the Curb Event Center.
Tech heads to Nashville hot on a three-game winning streak while Belmont recently snapped their 10-game winning streak when the Bruins fell to UT Martin 81-79 in their most recent contest.
In their last meeting, Belmont edged Tech in a double-overtime game 80-79 in Cookeville. In the contest, Yaktavia Hickson netted a game- and career-high 23 points, connecting on 8-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Two other Golden Eagles scored in double figures in the contest: Samaria Howard posting 21 points and Hannah Goolsby with 11. The Bruins were led by Darby Maggard who tallied a team-high 20 points, while three other Belmont players posted double-figures: Kylee Smith (18), Sierra Jones (12), and Jenny Roy (10).
In the Jan. 30 game, Belmont outrebounded Tech 62-40, however, the Bruins gave up 18 turnovers compared to the Golden Eagle's nine. Tech had 21 fouls to Belmont's 18 allowing the Bruins to connect on 19-of-25 from the line compared to the Golden Eagle's netting 18-of-22 from the charity stripe.
Howard continues to lead Tech from the floor averaging 21 points and 5.5 boards per game. She shoots 39.8 percent from the field, 31.7 percent from the 3-point range, and 79.9 percent from the line. Her 21 points per game rank her 18th in the NCAA, while her 567 total points on the season rank her ninth, her 147 made free throws rank her eighth, and her 200 made field goals rank her 13th.
Junior newcomer Lindsey Jennings is continuing to make strides on the Tech team posting a career- and game-high 10 assists in the Golden Eagle's last game against Morehead State. Jennings also tallied a career-high 7 rebounds in the contest while netting six points.
Senior Mariah Dean is also serving as a power player on the Tech squad. Dean posted her second double-double of the season against Morehead State (10 points, 10 boards) and third of her career. Thus far this season, Dean averages 6.4 rebounds and 6.4 points per game.
As a team, the Golden Eagles average 62 points, 38 boards, and 17.6 turnovers per game. Tech shoots 38.6 percent from the floor, 28.5 percent from the 3-point range, and 71.8 percent from the line. The Bruins average 74.7 points, 43.2 rebounds, and 14.8 turnovers per game. Belmont shoots 44.4 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 71.9 percent from the charity stripe.
Kylee Smith leads the Bruins averaging 14 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Smith shoots 38.9 percent from the floor, 41.8 percent from the 3-point range, and 75 percent from the line.
Another key Belmont player is Sally McCabe. McCabe leads the Bruins in rebounds averaging 7.5 boards per game while also posting 11.7 points per game.
The Golden Eagles currently lead the series 23-14, while also holding the 10-6 advantage in games played in Nashville.
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