Golden Eagle women's basketball set to soar in season tip off
November 10, 2012

Golden Eagle women's basketball set to soar in season tip off

A new era of Tennessee Tech women's basketball is underway, and the Golden Eagles are ready to hit the court running. In their first regular season game of the year, Tech hosts Tennessee Wesleyan Saturday, in the first part of the double-header. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

Recap Box Score

 

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- A new era of Tennessee Tech women's basketball is underway, and the Golden Eagles are ready to hit the court running.  In their first regular season game of the year, Tech hosts Tennessee Wesleyan Saturday, in the first part of a double-header. 

Tennessee Tech (0-0) vs. Tennessee Wesleyan (1-2)
Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012
6 p.m. CT
Eblen Center - Cookeville, Tenn.

The Broadcasts
TV: none
Radio: Fox Sports Radio, 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: OVC Digital Network (Brandon Goodwin)

Setting the Stage
Tennessee Tech will open the 2012-13 season in the first part of a double-header when it takes on Tennessee Wesleyan in Cookeville, Tenn. 

Saturday's game will be Tech's annual First Tennessee Bank's Poster night. Every fan in attendance will receive a free schedule poster, and players from both the women's and men's team will be available post-game for autographs.

A Glance at the 2012-13 Golden Eagles
 After going .500 last season, and winning 17 games on the heels of an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship last season, the Golden Eagle women's basketball team will welcome a nice mixture of experience and youth on its 2012-13 roster as Tech looks to win its second OVC title in three years and advance to the NCAA tournament under first-year head coach Jim Davis. 

Gone is the three time outstanding female athlete Tacarra Hayes, who led the 2011-12 team in points, rebounds, assists and steals last season. Hayes also earned All-OVC First Team and OVC Tournament honors as one of the most versatile guards to grace the Purple and Gold. However, the Golden Eagles bring back four starters and eight letterwinners who are ready to step in and fill the void. 

Highlighting the list of returners is second team All-OVC and preseason OVC performer Jala Harris, a senior guard who joined the team after fulfilling her transfer requirements last fall. Harris was second on the team in scoring last season with 15.2 points per game. 

Returning alongside Harris is the rest of the Alabama trio Kellie and Kylie Cook. The twin sisters combine for a powerful one-two punch as swing players. Both are able to knockdown the tre and punch it in in the paint. Fellow senior Katherine Barker's consistent play will also be vital to Tech's success.

Also returning in the backcourt and a likely candidate to start this season is sophomore Diamond Henderson who averaged 1.4 points in her rookie season. Newcomers to the Golden Eagle roster include a familiar face to the Upper Cumberlands, Lashay Davis. Other candidates vying for time at the guard position is true freshman Hope Scantland and juniors Christina Caddy, and Kayla Kimes a transfer from Roane Community College.

Back to anchor the bigs will be junior forward Molly Heady, who averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season, and T'Keyah Williams who should see increased playing time in her second year. Other candidates looking to fill the middle will be Candace Parson, who red shirted last season due to injury. Tech also added some height to their roster with the signing of 6-2 freshman Tia Nicholson, sunshine sensation Mariah Dean, 5-9 forward Quira Demery and Kanaja Murray.

For complete gamenotes, please click here.

Saturday's game will be a part of a special ticket plan on Tech's campus. Anyone holding a ticket for the football game will be admitted to the basketball games, and anyone with a ticket to the basketball games can attend the football game. To take advantage of this opportunity, fans only need to show their ticket at the ticket window at either Tucker Stadium or Eblen Center, and they will receive a complimentary ticket to the other event that day.

For additional information on this special ticket offer, visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940.