Thursday, November 15, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Nov. 15, 2007) - After a week off in between games in the Preseason WNIT, the ETSU women's basketball team returns to the hardwood Friday evening when the Lady Bucs face Delaware State in the Samford consolation pod. Tip is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET from the newly built Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham, Ala.

Below is a preview of Friday's match-up:

The Last Time Out

The Lady Bucs were defeated by Western Kentucky, 90-73, last Friday in the first round of the Preseason WNIT from E.A. Diddle Arena. Sophomore Siarre Evans (Griffin, Ga.) recorded her ninth career double-double, putting together a 22-point, 10-rebound performance in the season opener. Joining the 2007 Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year winner in double figures were seniors Michele DeVault (Columbus, Ohio) and Kelly Turman (Atlanta, Ga.). DeVault scored 10 of her 14 points in the second half; while Turman netted 10. ETSU's bench outscored WKU, 26-12, and the Lady Buccaneers forced 22 turnovers, resulting in 24 points on the other end.

Delaware State is coming off a 54-47 loss to Delaware in the first round of the Preseason WNIT from the Bob Carpenter Center. The Lady Hornets led the Fightin' Blue Hens, 26-22, at intermission; however, Delaware State shot only 23.3 percent (7-30) from the field in the second half, compared to 47.1 percent (8-17) by Delaware en route to being outscored 32-21 in the final 20 minutes of play. Katreem Palmer, a 2007-08 first team all-MEAC selection, led DSU with 18 points and 13 rebounds. DSU returns seven players, including all five of its starters from last season's club that represented the MEAC in the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Hornets were picked to finish second behind Coppin State by the league coaches.

The Series

This marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

ETSU vs. MEAC Schools

The Lady Bucs are currently 3-0 against current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, and Maryland Eastern Shore).

Player Watch

Siarre Evans is coming off her ninth career double-double performance, and she is the only player in the Atlantic Sun conference to average double figures in points and rebounds. Evans finished her first game of the 2007-08 campaign shooting eight-for-11 from the field and grabbed six of her 10 rebounds on the offensive end.

The Lady Hornets will be led by a pair of senior forwards. Katreem Palmer and Raquel Collier each averaged double figures last season, and Palmer opened the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds in the first round WNIT loss to Delaware. Last season Palmer averaged 11.1ppg and 7.1rpg, while Collier scored 13.8 points per contest.

Broadcast Info

There will be no audio or video available for Friday's contest.

A Look Ahead

The winner of Friday's game will face the winner of Samford/Princeton in the championship game of the Samford consolation pod Saturday. The two losing teams will tip-off at 6:30 ET on Saturday as well. 

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