By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – When Tennessee Tech faced UT Martin in early January, the Golden Eagle women's basketball team had a slugfest early on with the Skyhawks.
The Tech women prevailed 61-49 back on January 7, and now the Golden Eagles will try to make that happen again on Saturday as Tech hosts the Skyhawks on Saturday.
Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Roger Ealey will have the call on 106.1 The Eagle, while Dylan Vazzano and Frank Harrell will broadcast the game on ESPN+ (subscription required). The game will also be available locally on WCTE and student radio WTTU.
The game is also Senior Day with Jordan Brock, Jada Guinn, D.J. McFarlane, Maaliya Owens and Ben Trosper being honored following the conclusion of the contest.
UT Martin head coach Kevin McMillan probably has one of the best success rates against Tennessee Tech, posting a 14-8 record against the Golden Eagles. However, the same can be said for Golden Eagle skipper Kim Rosamond, who has six victories against the Skyhawks.
Freshman Sharnecce Currie-Jelks has been a driving force for UTM, but when the two teams previously met, fell to an injury in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles took advantage of her absence with an 11-0 run to close out the first half, outscoring the Skyhawks 28-15 in the frame.
After returning 12 days later from the injury, she's worked back to her stellar pace, averaging 16.7 points over her last seven starts. She's averaging 14.1 points and 6.7 rebounds a game as she makes a case for OVC Freshman of the Year.
The Skyhawks have certainly seen their share of injuries this season, but they have gotten one of their most valuable players back in Paige Pipkin. She did not play in the earlier meeting against Tech, missing nearly the entire month of January. She's averaged 9.1 points a game since she's returned to the lineup, starting the last two games. Pipkin scored 13 against Eastern Illinois, 12 against Little Rock and 14 against SIUE.
Shae Littleford is also putting up great scoring numbers with a 12.3-point average, while Seygan Robins and Josie Storey have been UT Martin's resident long-range shooters, hitting 45 and 42 respectively.
As a team, the Skyhawks (11-15, 6-8 OVC) are averaging 63.3 points and allowing 64.1, while shooting .407 from the field, .322 from 3-point range and .779 at the free-throw line.
Owens lead the Golden Eagles in scoring with 14.0 points a game, while Guinn is averaging 10.2, followed by Anna Walker (9.7) and Reghan Grimes (8.9).
The Golden Eagles are averaging 69.1 points and allowing 63.4 a game, while shooting .426 from the field, .328 from 3-point range and .757 from the free-throw line.
Tickets for Saturday's home finale are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo | Jim Dillon
