November 11, 2010

Tech begins season Monday night against Alabama A&M

The start of the 2010-11 women’s basketball season will see a few new faces on the Golden Eagle roster, as well as some new teams on Tennessee Tech’s schedule including its home opener against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs Monday night.

Photo: Sophomore Katherine Barker is one of seven returnees on Sytia Messer's Golden Eagle roster

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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The start of the 2010-11 women's basketball rregular season will see a few new faces on the Golden Eagle roster, as well as some new teams on Tennessee Tech's schedule including its home opener Monday night against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

Monday's 7 p.m. tipoff at Eblen Center will mark the first time the Golden Eagles and the Bulldogs have crossed paths.

"Alabama A&M is a very athletic and well-coached team," head coach Sytia Messer said. "They play a tough non-conference schedule to get them ready for their conference season and they run the floor very well.

Last season, Alabama A&M finished its season with a 16-12 record and an 11-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference record. Picked to finish third in the SWAC, the Bulldogs welcome back a pair of preseason all-SWAC second-team players in Whiquitta Tobar and Gabrielle Williams. Tobar finished the 2009-10 season averaging 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a guard, while Williams added 2.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game at center.

"We are going to have to attack them offensively," Messer said. "We will have to make the easy baskets and defend the dribble."

The Golden Eagles enter the season ranked fourth in the OVC preseason poll after recording 14 wins last season, including eight in OVC play. Of the seven returning players from last season's squad, junior Tacarra Hayes and sophomore Kellie Cook garnered OVC accolades.

Hayes finished the 2009-10 season as Tech's leading scorer with 506 points and was named all-OVC first-team. Kellie Cook posted a solid rookie campaign as she finished second on the team in scoring with 377 points en route to being named to the OVC all-newcomer team.

Joining the seven returnees are seven newcomers including Diamond Henderson, Briana Jordan and Brittany Darling. Henderson posted a game-high 22 points, on 10-of-12 from the field in TTU's exhibition contest against Bryan College. Darling added 15 points and five rebounds, while Jordan contributed with nine points and seven helpers against the Lady Lions.

To purchase single-game or season tickets contact the Athletic Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940 or log on to TTUsports.com.