ETSU begins league play 4-0 for first time since 2005-06

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 24, 2015) – Behind four double-figure scorers -- including a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds from senior forward Destiny Mitchell (Bluffton, Ga.) -- the ETSU women’s basketball team defeated Wofford for the second time in as many weeks with a 69-47 decision on Saturday afternoon inside Brooks Gym. 

With the win, ETSU improves to 12-7 overall and moves to 4-0 in Southern Conference play. This victory marks the program’s first 4-0 start to begin conference play since the 2005-06 squad began Atlantic Sun action 7-0 in ETSU’s first year as a member of the league. Meanwhile, Wofford drops to 5-14 overall and 0-4 in conference play.

In a matchup against recent and familiar opponents, the two teams struggled early to find their offensive groove from the field. The Blue & Gold bounced back after going 2-of-11 from the floor through the first six minutes of the contest with a 10-4 burst – beginning with a three-pointer from guard Shamauria Bridges (Miramar, Fla.) – to take a 19-6 advantage with nine minutes left in the half. After trailing by a game-high 13 points, the Terriers responded with a 7-2 burst but were answered by another triple from Bridges to push the Bucs advantage to 11 with 5:24 to go. ETSU stayed in control over the duration of the period to take a 36-22 lead into halftime.

On the verge of letting the game get away from it, Wofford stormed out of the break with 10-2 run over the first four minutes of the second period. The Bucs then answered with a 7-2 rally to get back in the driver’s seat with a 47-34 lead with 14 minutes left to play. Over the length of the rest of the game, the Blue & Gold continued to limit the Terriers from the field and capitalized on their turnovers. Another Bridges trifecta with 1:51 to go ballooned ETSU’s lead to a game-high 24 points, 66-42, as the Bucs cruised to a 69-47 victory.

In addition to Mitchell’s impressive double-double performance – her fourth of the season and 30^th of her career – the Blue & Gold had three more double-digit scorers. Sharpshooting sophomore Bridges scored a game-high 17 points – including four made three-pointers – while senior forward Maria Bond (Macon, Ga.) added 15 points and freshman point guard Tianna Tarter (Johnson City, Tenn.) posted 10 points. As a duo, Mitchell and senior forward Serena Clark (Stone Mountain, Ga.) combined for 27 rebounds which matched Wofford’s rebound total. Mitchell also had a season-high five steals while Tarter also tallied six assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 38 minutes of play.

After shooting a sub-par 38 percent from the field in the first half, the Bucs became more efficient in the second with a 57 percent (13-of-23) clip from the floor. ETSU dominated on the boards (47-27) and turned 21 Wofford miscues into 26 points. Furthermore, the Blue & Gold scored 30 points in the paint and got out on the fast break for 16 points.

ETSU limited the Terriers from the field throughout the game with only 34 percent (17-of-50) shooting. Wofford did manage to get 24 points from its bench and turned ETSU over 23 times resulting in 18 points.

The Bucs will continue SoCon action on Monday when they travel to Macon, Georgia to take on the Mercer Bears at 7 p.m.

For more information on ETSU women’s basketball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women’s hoops link. Season tickets can be purchased here. Follow along with the Bucs on social media with Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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