By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It'll be an early day for the Tennessee Tech women on Tuesday as the Golden Eagles entertain Tennessee Wesleyan for the annual Education Day contest.
Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 11 a.m. Season ticket holders will be seated in Section D to accommodate the visiting student groups.
Students from 17 different Upper Cumberland schools will fill the arena at the Hooper Eblen Center as it gives them an opportunity to take in a Tech basketball game and see the campus.
Roger Ealey will have the call on 106.1 The Eagle, while Dylan Vazzano and Frank Harrell will handle broadcast duties on ESPN+ (subscription required).
It'll be the 10th game for Tennessee Wesleyan at the Eblen Center in the last 13 seasons and the Golden Eagles come in the victors in all nine previous meetings. Tech won last year's meeting by a 50-point spread, holding on to an 84-34 victory.
Last season's game gave Tech the opportunity to get its young stars a chance in the spotlight and test different lineups through the course of the game. Peyton Carter led the Golden Eagles in scoring in the game with 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds for her first career double-double, while Maaliya Owens and Megan Clark each had 10 points in the contest.
This year, the Bulldogs enter the game with a 7-4 record – and Tuesday's game will not count against their record as it stands as an exhibition game for the Division II squad. TWU won its last two games, topping Brenau 74-57 and Union College 73-57.
TWU is averaging 66.6 points a game, while allowing 64.2. The Bulldogs are shooting 38.3 percent from the field, 27.5 percent from long range and 67.5 percent from the stripe.
Freshman Yeika Jimenez Diaz is averaging a team-best 13.1 points per game, while also averaging 4.1 rebounds. Jordan Wright is averaging 10.8 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Jacelyn Stone is posting 10.1 points and 3.5 boards a night.
The Golden Eagles (4-3) ended their idle period with a thrilling 78-68 victory on Saturday over Alabama A&M as Owens led Tech with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting and a career-high six assists. Jada Guinn was a nearly perfect 7-for-8 from the floor with 14 points and five dimes, while Jordan Brock (12 points) and Carter (11) rounded out the double-digit production.
Tech is averaging 63.6 points a game and allowing 68.4. The Golden Eagles are shooting .397 from the field, .331 from 3-point range and .744 at the free-throw line.
Owens continues to lead the team in scoring at a 12.3-point clip, while Anna Walker (9.9 ppg) and freshman Reghan Grimes (9.1 ppg) are close behind. The Walker and Grimes combo also leads the Golden Eagles in rebounding with 5.4 and 5.3 caroms respectively.
Following Tuesday's matinee, the Golden Eagles will close out the non-conference portion of the schedule on the road as Tech heads to Louisiana. The Golden Eagles will play ULM on Saturday, followed by the Tulane Holiday Tournament on Dec. 20 and 21 in New Orleans. Ohio Valley Conference play begins on Dec. 29 at SIUE.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo | Jim Dillon
