By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team hits the Eblen Center hardwood versus Belmont on Saturday in a 5:30 p.m. CT tip. The Golden Eagles will be looking to regain bragging right over the Bruins on the season.
When the Golden Eagles (8-13, 5-3) and the Bruins met up on Jan. 4, the Bruins came away with the advantage, 62-53. Belmont saw four different players finish in double figures, led by Jordyn Luffman with 12. Taylor Mills and Katie Carroll both finished with 11, and Adrienne Tarrence finished with 10 and six assists. Junior Diamond Henderson was the only Golden Eagle in double-figures as she dropped a game-high 29 points.
The Bruins are currently 8-14, and 5-4 in conference play having earned wins over Tech, Southeast Missouri, Jacksonville State, Murray State, and most recently Morehead State. They are led by Luffman who is averaging 14.5 points per game and 7.2 rebounds.
The Golden Eagles return to the Eblen Center for the first time in 19 days as they have played their last four games on the road. Tech will look to use the home court as an advantage as they are 5-2 at home so far this season. And, in fact, a home court advantage has been established as a majority of the Golden Eagles have significantly improved statistics at home versus on the road. Two prime examples include freshman Hannah Goolsby, who is averaging 12.1 points in the Eblen Center, while averaging 7.1 in other arenas, and junior Candace Parson, who is averaging 11.1 points and 7.7 boards at home, and 8.5 and 5.4 elsewhere.
Tech will also be looking to build on their third road win of the season after taking down Murray State, 81-65. The Golden Eagles were led by Henderson with 17 points, Goolsby with 15, and senior Molly Heady, who added 11. They also got a huge spark off the bench as Kayla Brewer recorded a stacked stat line of eight points, 11 boards, and a career-best six blocks.
Promotions for Saturday's doubleheader include Jackson County and Overton County Night, as residents of those two counties can purchase tickets at the game for just one dollar per person. It will also be Scout Night where any area Scout can wear their uniform and get into the games for free. Finally, it will be Communiverity night where members of the Chamber of Commerce each receive eight free tickets to the games.
Tickets for Saturday's game as well as for answers to promotional ticket questions are available by calling the TTU ticket office at (931) 372-3940.
