COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team returns to Music City Monday to take on division rival Tennessee State. Just one month ago Tech downed the Tigers in the Eblen Center 80-77 and must defeat TSU once again to remain undefeated in the East. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Tennessee Tech (12-10, 6-3 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (8-11, 4-4 OVC)
Monday, Feb. 4, 2013
7:00 p.m. CT
Gentry Center - Nashville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: none
Radio: Fox Sports Radio, 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: OVC Digital Network
Live Stats
Setting the Stage
The match-up pits two first year coaches, Tech's Jim Davis and Tennessee State's Larry Joe Inman. While both are in their first years at their respective institutions, both are veterans to the bench.
In Cookeville, Tech led much of the first half, but adjustments made by the Tigers at half time put the Golden Eagles on their heels. The teams are even by the numbers, so it will all come down to who executes the game plan better.
A Glance at the Golden Eagles
Thanks to precision shooting against Belmont, the Golden Eagles are back on top in the OVC- with a .423 field goal percentage and .368 three-point field goal percentage. The Golden Eagles are coming off their seventh game shooting 40 percent from the floor this season.
One of the highlights in Tech's win over Belmont was T'Keyah Williams recording the team's first double-double of the season. Williams scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Jala Harris scored a game-high 21 points marking the fifth time this season Harris has scored 20+ points.
Sophomore guard continues to lead the Golden Eagles in scoring with 15.7 points per game, but Molly Heady has had a surge of offense in recent games, including 15 against Belmont, making 3-of-4 from three-point range.
Heady and Williams are Tech's top rebounders averaging 5.0 and 4.6 boards per game respectively.
Christina Caddy and Candace Parson have come off the bench recently and made an impact on defense. Against Murray State (1/28) Caddy had a career night recording six rebounds and two steals, and Parson had six rebounds of her own in the first half.
As a team, the Golden Eagles average 65.2 points, a .423 field goal percentage, 6.2 three-pointers, 34.6 rebounds, 12.4 assists, and 7.8 steals per game.
A Look at the Tigers
Tennessee State returns to action after a week off. In their last game the Tigers took a tough 62-54 road loss to Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers have two players averaging double-digits, with Jasmin Shuler adding nine. Kessi Hess leads Tennessee State's offensive threat with 11.6 points per game this season, but is averaging 16.8 against conference opponents. Simone Hopes is the Tiger's top rebounder averaging 6.7 rebounds and 10.7 points per game.
The Tigers defense is one of the toughest in the OVC as they average 3.7 blocked shots per game and 9.8 steals per game, placing them second in the conference.
As a team, Tennessee State averages 59.8 points, 36.5 rebounds, 10.5 assists, and 9.8 steals per game. The Lady Tigers are coached by Larry Joe Inman, who is in his first season at the helm of Tennessee State.
Series History
The Golden Eagles will take on the Tigers for the 60th time in the series history and Tech leads the series 49-10. The Golen Eagles have played in the Gentry Center nine times in the past 10 years, and hold a 7-2 record against the Tigers.
In their last meeting, Tech defeated Tennessee State 80-77 in the Eblen Center. The Golden Eagles overcame a nine-point deficit, and held a five point lead with 30 seconds remaining. Diamond Henderson led the team with 24 points, and Jala Harris scored 20.
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