By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Amid all the uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is one thing for sure – there will be basketball in the Hooper Eblen Center.
The Ohio Valley Conference announced its 2020-21 slate on Thursday, which will give the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team an opportunity to celebrate its 50th anniversary as the Golden Eagles look for their 19th regular-season title and 10th tournament crown. Coupled with an exciting non-conference schedule, Tech women's basketball looks to make this anniversary year an exciting one.
"Even with the challenges that the virus will present, our team is just excited and grateful to be on the court together preparing for this season," said Tech head coach Kim Rosamond. "In all we do, the health and safety of our players, as well as our family and fans, will always come first, and I appreciate how hard our administration is working behind the scenes to give us an opportunity to play.
"Trying to revamp a schedule in September and October has been interesting, but we were fortunate to be able to secure a very competitive and regional nonconference schedule with in-state games at Vanderbilt and at UTC in early November. With no exhibition games or closed scrimmages this season, these games will be vital to help prepare us for the unusual early OVC series with Jacksonville State on December 3 and 13."
Rosamond enters her fifth season at the helm of the program, bringing an experience-rich squad to the court. Returning the top three scorers in seniors Kesha Brady (14.4 ppg), Mackenzie Coleman (12.0 ppg) and Jordan Brock (10.1 ppg), the Golden Eagles look poised to make a run for the conference title.
Tech opens the 2020-21 season with a November 25 trip to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt, then continue with a jaunt down to Chattanooga on November 29. Tech will open the league slate on December 3 as the Golden Eagles travel to Jacksonville State. The Golden Eagles will then host the Gamecocks on December 13.
Tech wraps up its non-conference slate before Christmas as it hosts Western Carolina (December 16), Samford (December 19) and Mercer (December 21).
"The three-game homestand before Christmas with Western Carolina, Samford and Mercer will be a great way for our team and fans to finish out the non-conference schedule before the holidays," Rosamond said.
The Golden Eagles will continue OVC play on December 30 as they host defending OVC tournament champ Southeast Missouri. The Redhawks, after defeating UT Martin 67-47 in the tournament finale, was unable to compete in the NCAA tournament after the event was canceled to the pandemic.
Tech opens 2021 with a trip to Eastern Illinois on January 2. Fans should note that, under Illinois guidelines, spectators will not be allowed into contests at EIU or SIUE this season.
The Golden Eagles continue the road trip on January 7 and 9 as they make the OVC's Death Valley run to Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky. Morehead's top rebounder and OVC Defensive Player of the Year, sophomore guard Ariel Kirkwood (8.5 rpg), will lead the way for the opposing Eagles.
From there, the weekends alternate home and away as Tech returns to the friendly confines of the Eblen Center to take on Belmont (January 14) and Tennessee State (January 16). Belmont comes into this season with its fourth straight OVC title, splitting the 2019-20 regular-season crown with UT Martin. The Tigers will be under the direction of Ty Evans, who spent the last eight seasons at Auburn before being tabbed for TSU's new head coach in August.
On January 21, Tech heads to Clarksville to take on Austin Peay, then ventures on to Murray State on the 23rd. On January 28 and 30, Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State make the return trip to Cookeville, then, on the following week, the Golden Eagles travel to SEMO (February 4) and its lone appearance against UT Martin (February 6).
Reigning OVC Player of the Year Chelsey Perry returns for her senior campaign with the Skyhawks, after averaging 23.1 points and 7.9 rebounds, while also recording 86 blocks and 52 steals in 2019-20.
February 11 sees SIUE make its only appearance on Tech's schedule as the Cougars visit the Eblen Center, two days before Eastern Illinois makes the trek down to Cookeville. The final two weeks of the regular season see Tech travel to Tennessee State (February 18) and Belmont (February 20), before returning home to host Austin Peay (February 25) and Murray State (February 27).
Seating will be available in a limited capacity in accordance with NCAA and OVC regulations. Game times and more information regarding fan attendance will be announced at a later date. Season tickets are available by calling (931) 372-3940, online at TTUsports.com or by visiting the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
