Friday, November 30, 2007

(Nov. 30, 2007) - After enjoying a week off the East Tennessee State women's basketball team is set to return to action, as the Lady Bucs host UNC Asheville Saturday afternoon inside Memorial Center. A select number of fans entering the 3 p.m. game will receive a Phil Bachman Toyota/Scion ETSU fleece blanket.

 

Below is a breakdown of Saturday's matchup:

 

Lady Bucs Last Game

Senior Michele DeVault (Columbus, Ohio) scored a career-high 25 points and led the Lady Bucs to a 77-74 victory over Evansville last Saturday from Memorial Center.

 

DeVault played the entire 40 minutes and shot 7-of-10 from the field, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line, as she broke her previous best of 22 points which was set last season at Kennesaw State. Joining DeVault in double figures was the Georgia duo of guard Kelly Turman (Atlanta) and sophomore Siarre Evans (Griffin). Turman scored 14 points in 25 minutes of work, while Evans netted 10 for ETSU.

 

As a team, ETSU shot a season-high 48.4 percent (30-62) for the ballgame, while Evansville finished 27-of-57 (47.4 percent). Both teams were sensational from the charity stripe, combining to shoot 93.3 percent (28-for-30). The Lady Bucs were a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line, compared to 16-for-18 by the Purple Aces. Despite committing 19 turnovers, the Lady Bucs did an excellent job limiting their unforced errors in the final 20 minutes, as ETSU only coughed the ball up six times in the final frame.

 

About The Bulldogs

UNC Asheville is the defending Big South Conference champions coming off a 21-12 season and the team's first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs graduated five players off last year's tournament team but return leading scorer Ashton Barton and leading rebounder Stacy Sheppard. The Bulldogs will be young this season playing four true freshman but have their eyes on another tournament appearance.

 

The Bulldogs are coming off an 89-74 loss at Western Carolina Wednesday night. In the contest, junior guard Ana Baker scored a career-high 19 points, but UNC Asheville's defense allowed five Lady Catamount players to score in double figures which led to the defeat. WCU shot 50-percent (32-64) from the field, compared to only 39.7-percent (31-78) by the Bulldogs. Asheville only had four assists on its 31 made field goals, and shot a frigid 18.8-percent (3-of-16) from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs did hit all nine of their free throw attempts and out-rebounded the Lady Catamounts, 43-41.

 

Senior guard Ashton Barton leads the team in scoring at 15.3 points per contest, and has connected on a team-high 19 three-point field goals. Asheville currently holds a 4-3 mark, with wins over Montreat, Gardner-Webb, Furman and UNC Greensboro.

 

The Series

The Lady Bucs have dominated the series versus the Bulldogs. ETSU leads the all-time series 15-1, with the Lady Buccaneers taking the most recent meeting, 91-79, last season inside the Justice Center. Five ETSU players reached double figures in scoring, including a team-high 17-point effort from Brooke Wilhoit and Turman poured in 15 off the Lady Bucs' bench. The lone UNCA victory came on Dec. 3, 2003, when the Bulldogs defeated ETSU 55-49 in North Carolina.

 

Player Watch

Senior leader Michele DeVault has scored double figures in all five of ETSU's contests this season, including her career-best 25-point performance last weekend over Evansville. The Columbus, Ohio native leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points per contest, which ranks second in the A-Sun, and leads the league with a 93.9 clip (31-of-33) at the free throw line.

 

The Bulldogs are led by senior Ashton Barton's 15.3 points per game, which ranks third overall in the Big South. The guard from Rosman, N.C. leads the conference in three-point field goals made, averaging 2.71 a contest.  

 

Broadcast Info

Fans can view the ETSU/UNC Asheville game live via video streaming by clicking the ASun.TV link located above. Please note this contest will not be aired on any of the Holston Valley Broadcasting Corporation radio stations, due to Tennessee football playing in the SEC championship game.

 

A Look Ahead

The Lady Bucs will begin their longest road swing of the season, as they venture out on a five-game journey beginning Thursday night at Davidson. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

 

UNC Asheville will have the week off before hosting Presbyterian next Saturday at 2 p.m.

 

Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on Lady Buccaneer basketball and all other ETSU athletic news.