COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Golden Eagles will hit the court for the first time in a week as they travel to Huntingdon, W. Va. for their last game before the holiday break. Tech will take on the Thundering Herd of Marshall University Saturday at 2:00 p.m. 

Tennessee Tech (5-6) vs. Marshall (6-5)
Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012
2:00 p.m. CT
Cam Henderson Center - Huntington, W.Va.

The Broadcasts
TV: none
Radio: Golden Eagle Sports Network, 1400 The HUB (Brandon Goodwin)
Webcast: HerdZone
LiveStats

Setting the Stage:
Tech is riding a two-game losing streak after a tough weekend at the St. John's Chartwells Holiday Classic. The Golden Eagles lost to St. John's and St. Mary's (Calif.), but a different team is set to soar. 

It's been one year since the Golden Eagles lost to the Herd time for the first time in program history. Tech lost to the Thundering Herd last season 73-68 in the Eblen Center, after being down 12 points at the half. The Golden Eagles want nothing more than to enter the holidays with a win.  

A Glance at the 2012-13 Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles are led by Diamond Henderson with 16.5 points per game, but Jala Harris is adding 10.7 points, 3.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.7 rebounds per game. The senior averages 28.6 points per game, giving her the most court time on the team. Lashay Davis adds 7.1 points per game, and Molly Heady puts up 6.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. 

The Golden Eagles offense is the second highest scoring offense in the Ohio Valley Conference, shooting .404 from the floor, but leads the conference in three-point shooting thanks to sharp shooters Kellie and Kylie Cook. Kylie leads the team from behind the arc shooting 42% this season, with sister Kellie adding 13 tres this season. 

In the backcourt is T'Keyah Williams, who leads the Golden Eagles with 6.4 rebounds per game, but freshman Mariah Dean has started to make in impact, as a spark off the bench. Dean is only averaging 1.6 rebounds per game, but her defensive presence has the greatest impact for the Golden Eagles. 

A Look at the Thundering Herd
Saturday's game closes out a three-game homestand prior to the holidays. Marshall, 3-1 at home, split their last two games, falling to Ohio University (12/15) 55-48, but defeating Furman (12/20), 52-46. The Thundering Herd are averaging 57.0 points per game and are giving up 56.0 points per game. Marshall is led by Shay Weaver, who is averaging 11.4 ppg, but six other players play key roles to the Herd offense including Chukwuka Ezeigbo, who averages 9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.  

For complete gamenotes, please click here.