University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Set To Open Home Schedule
11/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2008
The Southern Miss women's basketball team returns home to host Tennessee State Monday in Reed Green Coliseum at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcasted over WXHB-FM 96.5 with the new "Voice of the Lady Eagles" Josh West providing play-by-play action with former coach Kay James as the color analyst.
Southern Miss is coming off a 72-60 road win over Sam Houston State to open the season. Pauline Love and Candace Rucker led the way, scoring 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Love collected her 20th career double-double with the addition of 12 rebounds. Ten of the 11 players available scored four or more points in the win. Southern Miss edged the Bearkats on the boards, 40-38. The Lady Eagles also forced the Bearkats into 23 turnovers.
Four players made their official Southern Miss debut. Freshman Erin Gatling made her first career start as Kendra Reed made her 95th career start.
Tennessee State (1-0) comes into the game with a 62-46 win over Jackson State in its season opener. Kendra Appling led the way with a game-high 25 points, followed by Tiffany Jackson with 11 points. The Lady Tigers connected on 12 three-pointers and forced Jackson State in 35 turnovers. Coach Tracee Wells return all five starters from last year's team that finished 13-17.
Tennessee State is coming off a 13-17 season as Head Coach Tracee Wells begins her fifth season at the helm of her alma mater. Wells returns 11 letterwinners, including all five starters from last year's team. The Lady Tigers have only one newcomer, a transfer from Louisville who will become eligible in December. TSU returns 99 percent of its offense and 97 percent of its rebounding.
Southern Miss leads the series with Tennessee State, 1-0. That game was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 1994.
Following the Tennessee State game, Southern Miss hits the road for a game at South Alabama, Nov. 20.
