Saturday, November 21, 2009

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Nov. 21, 2009) - After suffering its first loss of the season last weekend at Mississippi State, the ETSU women's basketball team will look to bounce back into the win column on Sunday afternoon when the Lady Bucs face their second straight SEC foe - Arkansas. Tip is set for 4 p.m. (Eastern) inside Bud Walton Arena.

The Lady Bucs (1-1) dropped their first road contest of the 2009-10 campaign last Sunday in Starkville, as Mississippi State used a 24-9 run to close out the first half and routed ETSU, 80-50, inside Humphrey Coliseum. Senior and Preseason Atlantic Sun Player of the Year candidate Siarre Evans (Griffin, Ga.) notched her first double-double of the season after scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. However, after shooting 50-percent (10-of-20) from beyond the arc in its season opener versus Chattanooga, ETSU finished 2-of-15 (13.3 percent) from long range against the Lady Bulldogs.

Associate coach DeShawne Blocker will make her head coaching debut on Sunday, as she is filling in for head coach Karen Kemp during her leave of absence. Despite the loss of Kemp in Fayetteville, there is a bright spot for the Lady Bucs, as 2009 Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year Latisha Belcher (Martinsville, Va.) returns to action. Belcher - who had knee surgery in late April and was still rehabbing during the two exhibition games and the first two regular season contests - will see limited action against the Razorbacks. 

Like ETSU, Arkansas split its first two games of the 2009-10 season. The Razorbacks - who are making their home opener against the Lady Bucs on Sunday - defeated Alcorn State 87-78 in the season opener, before falling to SMU (76-71) on Wednesday night in Dallas.

The Razorbacks return two starters and nine letterwinners from last season's club who reached the second round of the WNIT. Through two games, Arkansas is led by senior guard Charity Ford (16.0ppg); while Sarah Watkins (15.0ppg/6.5rpg) and Ashley Daniels (13.5ppg/8.0rpg) are also scoring in double figures. In addition, the Razorbacks return Freshman All-American C'eria Ricketts. Ricketts posted 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during her rookie campaign, and is currently averaging 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals for coach Tom Collen in year two.

Sunday marks the first meeting between ETSU and Arkansas.

Fans unable to make the trip to Fayetteville can purchase live video by visiting www.ArkansasRazorbacks.com or by clicking the link above. Live stats will also be available through Arkansas' athletic website.

For more information on Lady Buccaneer basketball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.