Golden Eagle women look to continue trend against UTM
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Recent history is on the side of the
Tennessee Tech women's basketball team Thursday night when the
Golden Eagles host UT Martin in Eblen Center. Tech has won 10 out
of its last 11 games against the Skyhawks, including a two-game
sweep a season ago.
Tipoff is at 5 p.m., followed by the men's game on national TV at 8
p.m.
The last time UT Martin came to Cookeville, Tech point guard
Allison Price set a career high with 15 points and also led the
team with seven assists and added six rebounds in the Golden
Eagles' 66-47 victory. Tech also beat the Skyhawks in their own gym
last season, taking a 73-64 win in Martin, when Kristina Tyler
aided the Golden Eagles with 21 points and nine rebounds.
The Golden Eagles hold a 40-12 all-time advantage over Martin.
UTM's last win over Tech came when the Skyhawks squeaked past Tech
in 2007 in Martin, taking a 56-55 victory on a buzzer-beater,
snapping Tech's eight-game win streak against Martin.
Both teams will be looking to climb the Ohio Valley Conference
standings, as Tech has a 1-4 OVC record, and UT Martin is tied with
Jacksonville State at the bottom of the league, at 0-5.
Tech is led this year by senior guard Blair Bowens, who is
averaging 13.4 points per game, and has topped the 20-point plateau
twice. Junior center Vivian Nwosu, a transfer from McLennan
Community College in Texas, has come on strong lately, notching her
first career double-double as a Golden Eagle last week with 10
points and 12 rebounds against Morehead State.
Senior guard Meagan Lyons is on the hunt for her 1,000th career
point for the Golden Eagles. She has 971 points in her career, and
is averaging 8.6 per game this season to go along with 1.9 steals
and five rebounds. Price is fifth in the conference is assists,
with 3.4 per game.
UT Martin will counter Tech with a couple of weapons of its own.
Senior center Phyllisha Mitchell leads the league in rebounding
with 13.3 boards per game, and is eighth in scoring, putting up
14.2 points per game. Yalonda Davis, a freshman guard from
Biggersville, Miss., is averaging 8.3 points in her rookie campaign
for the Skyhawks.
The Golden Eagles are looking to end a seven-game skid which has
included two losses by four points or less. After opening up OVC
play with an impressive 84-60 victory over Jacksonville State, Tech
dropped its next four conference games. The Golden Eagles have been
victims of late comebacks and cold shooting performances. Tech had
late leads against both Memphis and Eastern Illinois before falling
by slim margins.
The Skyhawks come into the game having dropped three straight,
including a 64-62 loss to conference leader Murray State. UTM is
looking for its first win on OVC play, having fallen to Eastern
Kentucky, Austin Peay, Morehead State and Tennessee State in
addition to Murray.
Tickets for Thursday's games are on sale at the Athletics Ticket
Office in Eblen Center or by calling (931) 372-3940. Tickets may
also be purchased online by clicking here.
