By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
Tech vs. Austin Peay Game Notes
Where to follow the game:
WCTE TV with Tim Scruggs and Sam Brooks
OVC Digital Network with Dylan Vazzano
106.1 The Eagle with Roger Ealey
Live Stats
The Golden Eagles lead in the series by a 76-19 margin, however, the Governors last saw success in the 2015-16 season when Austin Peay defeated Tech 70-49 in Clarksville. In contests played in Cookeville, the Golden Eagles are favored 28-6.
Yaktavia "Shug" Hickson leads the Golden Eagles averaging 16.6 points per game, which also marks her second amongst Ohio Valley Conference players. Hickson shoots 42 percent from the field, 30.5 percent from the three-point range, and 86.3 percent from the free throw line (lands her fourth in the OVC). She also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest, while gathering 25 assists and 10 steals on the season.
Senior Treyvonna "Trey" Brooks is another key player on the Golden Eagle lineup. Brooks is Tech's leading rebounder (7.1 rpg) and second leading scorer (10.2) this season. She shoots 46.5 percent from the floor, 35 percent from downtown, and 63.6 percent from the charity stripe. Brooks also leads the Golden Eagles in blocks and steals with 21 in each category on the year, while also dishing out 31 assists on the season (second best mark on the squad). Brooks ranks fifth in the OVC in rebounding, while placing third on the list in offensive boards and seventh in blocked shots.
Freshman Akia Harris is a player to watch. Harris leads the Golden Eagles in assists, dishing out 56 on the season. Harris is Tech's third leading scorer averaging 7.3 points per game, and second leader in steals with 18 on the year. Harris shoots 28.4 percent from the floor, 25 percent from beyond the arc, and 63.9 percent from the free throw line. In the OVC, Harris ranks eighth in assists and seventh in assist/turnover ratio (1.3).
Tearra Banks lead APSU averaging 16.1 points per game, standing as the only Governor averaging in double-figures thus far this season. Banks also leads Austin Peay in rebounds with 8.1 per contest. Banks shoots 55.4 percent from the field, which marks her first amongst OVC opponents. She also shoots 64.8 percent from the free throw line. Banks currently ranks third in scoring in the OVC, while standing as third in rebounding and second in defensive boards.
Another player to look out for on the Governor lineup is Beth Rates. Rates is Austin Peay's second leading scorer (7.9 ppg) as well as the second leader off the glass (5.5 rpg). Rates shoots 46.4 percent from the field, 30 percent from the three-point range, and 67.6 percent from the charity stripe. She leads the Governors in blocks with 27 on the year, while also standing as the second leader in assists with 29.
As a team, Tech shoots 37.7 percent from the floor, 28.1 percent from downtown, and 68.8 percent from the free throw line while Austin Peay shoots 39 percent from the floor, 26.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 62.5 percent from the charity stripe. The Golden Eagles average 37.3 rebounds and 17.1 turnovers per game to the Governors 38.9 caroms and 16.5 turnovers per contest.
You can follow the Golden Eagles online on the TTU Sports and Tennessee Tech women's basketball pages or on Twitter at @TTUGoldenEagles and @TTUWBB.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
