Ranked Cardinal women offer Golden Eagles tough opening test
Coach Amy Brown and the Golden Eagle women's team aren't wasting
any time facing a tough test - in fact, the University of
Louisville Cardinals could be the best opponent on Tennessee Tech's
2008-09 schedule.
Louisville, which went 26-10 last year and reached the Sweet 16 of
the NCAA Tournament, is ranked in the Top 10 nationally in many
preseason polls this season. Saturday, the 10th ranked Cardinals
open the regular season with their visit to Eblen Center.
It will be Tech's second consecutive game against a Top 25
opponent, although from two different levels. The Golden Eagles won
their exhibition game in Eblen Center on Monday night, claiming a
64-50 win over Tusculum, which is ranked 12th nationally in NAIA
polls.
Louisville also went undefeated in its exhibition games, claiming a
pair of victories. First, it was a 94-69 Louisville win over the
ASGR All-Stars on Nov. 3, at home. Three players scored in double
figures, led by Candyce Bingham with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Angel McCoughtry had 17 and Brandie Radde added 16. UL forced 27
turnovers and 38 percent shooting by the All-Stars.
"Louisville is very good, and they're very well coached," Tech head
coach Amy Brown said. "We need to be very mentally prepared heading
into this game."
Coach Jeff Walz' team shot 51 percent and got double figure scoring
from four players in a 90-73 road win at Northern Kentucky last
Saturday in the team's second exhibition game. Bingham's 17 points
and six rebounds led UL, while Keshia Hines had 14, McCoughtry 12
and Janae Howard scored 11.
If Monday's win is any indication, Tech can look forward to a
mixture of contributions from newcomers and veterans, including
solid leadership from starting seniors Allison Price, Meagan Lyons
and Blair Bowens.
"We have three very experienced guards," Brown said. "They have
been a big part of helping the younger players learn."
Sophomore Jasmine White, who played in all 30 games in a backup
role last season, was in the starting lineup for the first time
Monday and responded with a game-high 18 points along with seven
rebounds. White was 6-for-11 from the field and 5-for-7 at the
charity line, and was one of three Golden Eagles to score in double
digits.
"Jasmine has looked great, and we are going to rely on her more and
more," Brown said. "We need her to be a consistent performer for
us. She's still a young player, but we're going to look for her
production a lot this season."
Point guard Alison Price had 13 points along with five steals,
while Lyons added 11 points, seven steals, four rebounds and three
assists. Tech's defense forced 16 steals in the contest and 30
turnovers by the Pioneers.
Bowens had a solid game, chipping in with seven points, five
rebounds and sharing the team-lead with thee assists.
The newcomer who had the greatest impact on the box score was
center Vivian Nwosu, a 6-foot-3 junior from San Antonio, Texas.
After sitting out last season due to NCAA rules, Nwosu finished the
contest with seven points in her first action in purple and gold.
Freshman Krystal Stirrup, a 5-11 forward who also hails from San
Antonio, Texas, had six rebounds and scored three points in her
debut.
This year's Golden Eagles must replace three seniors, including
leading scorer and second-team all-OVC center Kristina Tyler, who
averaged 14.2 points and added seven rebounds per game. Also gone
are Cara Reed and Marissa Hensley.
Tech and Louisville have met twice before Saturday's tilt, but it
has been 25 years since the last time they played. The series is
tied, with each team claiming one victory. Louisville captured a
two-point win (62-60) during the 1981-82 season. The following
year, with Jerilynn Harper leading coach Marynell Meadors' Golden
Eagles, Tech survived for a six-point (83-77) victory.
The next action for the Golden Eagle women's team comes next
Tuesday (Nov. 18) when they play the first game of a doubleheader
at Lipscomb University. Next Saturday night (Nov. 22), the Golden
Eagles are at Belmont University, Tech's next home contest is
Tuesday, Nov. 25, when Drake University visits the Eblen
Center.
Individual game tickets and season tickets are currently on sale
and can be purchased at either the Athletic Ticket Office in Eblen
Center or by calling (931) 372-3940. Tickets are also on sale
online at TTUsports.com
