By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team returns from its Christmas break hiatus as Ohio Valley Conference play opens up on Friday, Dec. 28. The Golden Eagles will host the Jacksonville State Gamecocks for a 7 p.m. CT outing.
The Golden Eagles (3-9) are looking to snap a five-game losing streak that dates back to Dec. 7 when they lost to South Alabama on the road. Their last outing was against undefeated Southeastern Conference opponent Arkansas (12-0) where they lost 79-53. Junior T'Keyah Williams led the Golden Eagles in scoring for the second-straight game with 12 points, and junior Diamond Henderson added 11 as she continued her double-digit game streak to nine-straight games and Junior Candace Parson added nine points to her six boards, also adding two blocks. Henderson added three rebounds and three steals as well.
Jacksonville State is also 3-9 heading into the match-up, and are riding a one game winning streak as the beat South Carolina State 73-63 before heading home for Christmas. The Gamecocks are led by junior guard Candace Morton who is averaging 17 points per game, adding 7.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Junior center Miranda Cantrell is averaging 10.7 points and nearing a double-double average as she is pulling down 8.2 boards per game. Joining the Morton and Cantrell in the double-digit scoring average is sophomore guard Destany McLin with 12.1 points per game and adding 4.2 rebounds.
The Golden Eagles are 2-2 at home in the early season, however their two losses game by a combined total of seven points as they lost a double-overtime battle with instate foe Memphis, 78-76, and then returned just two days later to drop another close battle with Florida International 70-65.
Tech holds the all-time series advantage over the Gamecocks as they have won 17 of 20 showdowns, including going 7-2 in the Eblen Center. The Golden Eagles won both meetings last year, but this season is the Gamecocks' first under new head coach Rick Pietri.
The game will be shown on the OVC Digital Network and also available on the Golden Eagle Sports Network via 106.1 FM The Eagle, both calls of the game will be done by Roger Ealey. Tickets for Friday night's game as well as season tickets are available by calling the TTU ticket office at (931) 372-3940.
