By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—The time has come: the final game of the regular season. The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (10-18, 6-9 OVC) will host Eastern Kentucky (15-10, 9-5 OVC) in a 5:30 p.m. contest on Saturday in the Eblen Center for Senior Night and their final game before possible postseason play.
Earlier in the season, the Golden Eagles defeated the Colonels 77-72 in Richmond.
In the Jan. 23 game, Samaria Howard hit a game-high 31 points to tie her career-high previously set in the season against Lipscomb. Two other Tech players scored in double-figures in the contest: Candace Parson with 12 points in her season debut and Hannah Goolsby with 11 points.
Jalen O'Bannon led Eastern Kentucky with 28 points and seven rebounds while teammate Shameekia Murray posted 20 points and five assists.
In the contest, the Golden Eagles shot 50 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from the 3-point range, and 83.3 percent from the line, while the Colonels shot 52.7 percent from the floor, 21.4 percent from downtown, and 73.3 percent from the charity stripe. Both Tech and Eastern Kentucky grabbed 29 rebounds, but the Colonels gave up 19 turnovers and committed 21 fouls to the Golden Eagle's 12 turnovers and 15 fouls.
Howards continues to lead Tech averaging 20.9 points and 5.3 boards per game. She ranks second in the OVC in scoring and her 20.9 points per game rank her 21st in the NCAA. Howard's 585 points and 149 made free throws this season rank her ninth nationally, while her 207 made field goals rank her 13th.
Another key player on the Golden Eagle lineup is senior Mariah Dean. After being out for the first half of the season, Dean has made herself a huge asset to the Tech team. On the season, she averages 6.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. In OVC play, Dean ranks 10th in rebounding (6.7 per game) and second in blocked shots (2.1 per game) proving why she is a huge presence below the hoop.
O'Bannon leads Eastern Kentucky averaging 17.4 points and 9.8 boards per game. She ranks fifth in scoring and first in rebounding in the OVC, making her a threat both offensively and defensively.
Murray is another key player on the Colonel team. She averages 14.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Murray is the OVC's eighth leading scorer and Eastern Kentucky's second.
As a team, the Golden Eagles average 61.6 points, 37.6 boards, and 17.4 turnovers per game. Tech shoots 38.5 percent from the field, 28.8 percent from the 3-point range, and 71.5 percent from the line.
The Colonels average 73.4 points, 40.7 rebounds, and 16.2 turnovers per game. Eastern Kentucky shoots 42.8 percent from the floor, 34.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 71.1 percent from the charity stripe.
The Golden Eagles lead the series 57-24 over the Colonels, while also holding the 30-6 advantage for games played in Cookeville.
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.
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