By Holly Weber TTU Sports Information Coordinator

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—With a week of rest and practice under their belt, the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (3-6, 0-0 OVC) is ready to get back in action when they host Louisville (5-5) Friday in a 5:30 p.m. contest in Eblen Center.

This will be the first time the Golden Eagles and Cardinals have faced each other since the 2010-11 season, when Louisville topped Tech, 84-54. The two teams have met each other on three other occasions, the first occurring in the 1981-82 season when the Cardinals defeated the Golden Eagles 62-60. Louisville currently leads the series 3-1, each team winning one game in Cookeville, and the Cardinals winning two on their home turf. 

Senior Samaria Howard stands as the Golden Eagles' leading scorer, averaging 17.7 points per game. On the season, Howard shoots 36.1 percent from the field, 25 percent from beyond the arc, and 79.4 percent from the line. Howard has scored in double figures in every one of Tech's games so far this year, and her 50 made free throws ranks her 13th in the nation.

Junior Hannah Goolsby is another key player in the Golden Eagle lineup, leading the team from 3-point range. Goolsby shoots 43.8 percent from behind the arc and her 21 made three pointers rank her fourth in the OVC. 

Transfer Lindsey Jennings is also starting to make a name for herself on the Golden Eagle squad. In her last showing against Clemson, Jennings put down 4-of-4 from the field, hitting her only try from 3-point range. Jennings is starting to show how powerful of a point guard she is in leading the team and finding ways to drive to the hoop. 

As a team, Tech shoots 37.2 percent from the field, 28.4 percent from the 3-point range, and 67.3 percent from the line. The Golden Eagles average 60.8 points and 38.1 boards per game, while the Cardinals average 70.9 points and 36.5 rebounds per game. As a team, Louisville shoots 41.4 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 70.9 percent from the line. Tech averages 19 turnovers per game as compared to Louisville's 16.1. 

Leading the way for the Cardinals is Brihanna Jackson. Jackson is Louisville's leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game. She shoots 38.6 percent from the field, 42 percent from the 3-point range, and 76.5 percent from the line. 

Two other key players on the Cardinal team are Myisha Hines-Allen and Mariya Moore. Hines-Allen leads Louisville in rebounds averaging 7.8 per game and shoots 49.6 percent from the field and 74.1 percent from the line, while averaging 14.3 points per game. 

Moore averages 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. She is a solid all-around player, shooting 36.3 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from the 3-point range, and 80.9 percent from the line.

Louisville is comprised of numerous young players (having six freshmen and no seniors), however, their size and skill will prove to be one of Tech's tougher matchups this season. 

Season and game tickets can be purchased by visiting the Athletic Ticket Office in the Eblen Center or by calling (931) 372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online at TTUsports.com.

You can follow the Golden Eagles online on Facebook and on Twitter at @TTUWBB and @TTUGoldenEagles.