GAME NOTES: Game 3 vs. Western Carolina (PDF)
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a successful home opener on Sunday, the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team will continue the homestand as the Golden Eagles entertain Western Carolina on Wednesday night.
Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. Roger Ealey will provide the radio call for 106.1 The Eagle, while Dylan Vazzano and Michael Cooper will call the action on ESPN+ (subscription required).
The Golden Eagles (1-1) pulled together a complete team effort on Sunday to knock off Jacksonville State in Tech's Ohio Valley Conference opener and only league action until December 30. Senior Kesha Brady knocked down a pair of go-ahead free throws with four seconds remaining en route to 27 points – her third-highest point total in her career and most at home. She was also 13-of-16 from the free-throw line, a career-best as well.
Junior Anna Jones flourished against the Gamecocks as well, pouring on 21 points on an efficient shooting day with 7-of-9 shooting from the floor, 4-for-6 from beyond the arc and 3-for-4 from the line. She also led the Golden Eagles on the glass with eight boards of Tech's 41, followed closely by senior Mackenzie Coleman (7), Brady (6) and sophomore Jada Guinn (6).
Jones was also named the co-recipient of the OVC's Newcomer of the Week on Tuesday morning.
The Catamounts are the second game of this five-game homestand, with Samford coming up on Saturday and Mercer on Monday before Christmas, then Tech welcoming Southeast Missouri to resume OVC action on December 30.
Comparing the two teams by the major statistical categories, the Golden Eagles post advantages in several categories – points per game (66.5 to 57.6), rebounding per game (38.5 to 33.6), steals per game (7.5 to 5.8) and blocks per game (3.5 to 1.2).
The Catamounts however are hitting a touch better on shooting with advantages in field goal percentage (.385 to .368), 3-point percentage (.244 to .174) and free-throw percentage (.738 to .683).
WCU comes into the game with a 1-4 record. Its lone victory came on Dec. 9 against Division II Newberry College, but the rest of the Catamounts' non-conference slate has been stout, facing UNC Asheville, Elon, Charleston Southern and a little team also in their state – Duke.
These two teams are no stranger to each other – this is the third time Tech head coach Kim Rosamond has faced Western Carolina in her Tech tenure, posting a 2-0 mark against the Catamounts to date. The two teams faced off last season with the Golden Eagles taking a 62-58 victory in the last meeting, bolstered by Brady with 21 points and nine rebounds, as well as Coleman with 17 points and seven boards.
However, for the most part, this isn't the same Catamount team as only four players who played consistently for WCU last season have seen action this year. Four freshmen and two transfers fill in the other spots of the Catamounts' significant leaders this season.
Kyla Allison, a Middle Tennessee transfer, is averaging 11.2 points and 4.4 rebounds to lead WCU, while true freshman Zanoria Cruz is posting 10.8 points and 3.2 boards a game. Tembre Moates leads the team in rebounding with a 6.2 average along with her 9.4 point-per-game mark.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are still on sale, while seating is limited in compliance with NCAA and OVC regulations. Masks are required for all in attendance. For tickets, visit TTUsports.com, call (931) 372-3940 or visit the Eblen Center ticket office.
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Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
