Saturday, February 14, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 14, 2009) - The last time the Lady Bucs and Belmont met earlier this season, a battle of first-place in the conference standings was at stake. Now on Sunday afternoon when these two instate rivals collide, a showdown for the number one seed in next month's Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament is on the line. Tip is set for 3 p.m. (central)/4p.m. (eastern) inside the Curb Event Center.

ETSU, who currently sits a half-game behind Florida Gulf Coast for first-place in the conference standings, brings a record of 14-9, 12-3 into Sunday's contest. However, since the Eagles can't go to postseason play for another couple years, the Lady Bucs currently have a one-game lead over Belmont in the race for the top seed in the conference tournament.

The Lady Bucs are coming off a 68-55 come-from-behind win over Lipscomb on Friday night. The Lady Bisons threw everything they had at ETSU, but the Lady Bucs were able to withstand every punch and walk away with an important road victory. TaRonda Wiles (Danville, Va.) led the way with a game-high 19 points and Siarre Evans (Griffin, Ga.) added 17 points and 13 rebounds - marking her 12th double-double of the season. As a team, ETSU forced Lipscomb into 24 turnovers and outrebounded the home team - 50 to 35 - with 25 boards coming on the offensive end.

Belmont has won three straight and four of its last five, and brings a record of 16-8, 11-4 into play tomorrow.

The Bruins, who are 5-2 in home conference games this season, held on to beat USC Upstate 67-61 on Friday night. Amber Rockwell, who ETSU shutdown in the first meeting back in January, led the Bruins with a team-high 19 points against the Spartans; while senior post Jessica Bobbitt pitched in with 14.

The Lady Bucs lead the all-time series, 6-5, and have also won the last three meetings - including a 69-51 victory over Belmont back on Jan. 15. Wiles went off for a career-high 31 points in that contest and freshman post Gwen Washington (Manassas, Va.) recorded her second double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds). As a team, ETSU held Belmont to a 25.4 shooting percentage (15-59) and the Lady Bucs outrebounded the Bruins - 55 to 32.

Sunday's game will also be aired live on ASun.TV and live stats will be available by clicking the link above. In addition, fans unable to make the trip over to Nashville can hear all the action as "Voice of the Lady Bucs" Don Helman  will be courtside calling the play-by-play on WKPT-AM 1590 in Johnson City, WKPT-AM 1400 in Kingsport and WKPT-AM 1490 in Bristol. Additionally, WKPT's FM translators in Johnson City (97.7), Kingsport (94.3), and Bristol (97.9) will also air Lady Buccaneer games.

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