November 4, 2010

Tech women’s basketball begins 2010-11 with exhibition against Bryan College Thursday

With the fall sports wrapping up the second season of Tennessee Tech athletics is about to begin as the Golden Eagles will host an exhibition doubleheader Thursday, with the women’s basketball team taking on the Lady Lions of Bryan College at 5:30 p.m., in Eblen Center.

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With the fall sports wrapping up, the second season of Tennessee Tech athletics is about to begin as the Golden Eagles will host an exhibition doubleheader Thursday, with the women's basketball team taking on the Lady Lions of Bryan College at 5:30 p.m., in Eblen Center.

The Lady Lions are 0-1 on the season as they lost their season opener to Tennessee Temple 56-49.

"I'm excited to see our team out there on the court against another team," head coach Sytia Messer said. "The team is pumped about the game on Thursday and they are counting down the days."

"This won't be an easy roll over game against Bryan College," Messer continued. "They have a new coach and the players will have a ton of energy when they come in here."

Last season Tennessee Tech defeated Tennessee Weslyan, 97-51 at the Hoop in TTU's lone exhibition game of the season. Junior guards Rachel Glidden and Tacarra Hayes, along with sophomore forward Tiara Hopper, each netted 19 points, while sophomore guard Kellie Cook posted 13 points.

Each of the aforementioned players is back with an additional year of experience under their belt, as are junior forward Krystal Stirrup and sophomore guards Katherine Barker and Kylie Cook. The seven returning players from last season not only bring an additional year of experience, but 92 percent of the team's scoring from a year ago.

Seven newcomers have also joined the ranks of the Golden Eagles including a pair of transfer students in junior center Brittany Darling and sophomore guard Lashay Davis. Darling spent two seasons at Owens (Ohio) Community College, while Davis spent last season as a member of the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers and will not be eligible to play this season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Joining Darling and Davis are guards Diamond Henderson, Keisha Moore and Briana Jordan, forward Molly Heady and center Candace Parson.

"We're looking forward to seeing what our newcomers can do," Messer said. "We got a newcomer for every position and it will be interesting to see what they can bring to the table."

The doubleheader will play host to a Gathering of Eagles event in which the first 2,000 fans will get free admission to both games, while everyone in attendance will be able to enjoy free popcorn and Pepsi. It will also be First Tennessee Bank Poster Night. Fans will be given a free poster and the teams will be available after the games to give autographs.