Monday, November 5, 2007

TUSCULUM WOMEN KNOCK OFF TENNESSEE TECH 71-60 IN BASKETBALL EXHIBITION

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- Five players scored in double figures as the Tusculum College women’s basketball team defeated NCAA Division I Tennessee Tech, 71- 60 Monday night at the Eblen Center in exhibition action. Sophomore Stephany Neptune led the Pioneers with 12 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.

Freshman Jasmine Gunn added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Kat Spears, Ashli Oliver and Nikki Van Dine each scored 11 markers in the win.

Tusculum rallied from an 11-point second half deficit to record the win. Trailing 53-43 with 10:41 left in the game, the Pioneers went on a 12-2 run and tied the contest at 55-55 on a Jasmine Parker lay-up. Following a Tech bucket, Van Dine gave Tusculum the lead for good with a three-pointer with 6:10 left in the game. Spears and Neptune added consecutive lay-ups, while Van Dine followed with another trey as TC went up 65-59 with 3:18 to go.

Tusculum finished off the game with a 6-1 spurt to record the win over the Golden Eagles.

The Pioneers shot 44.1 percent from the floor, including six 3-pointers. TC limited Tech to 35.6 shooting as the Golden Eagles went 0-16 from beyond the three-point line. Tusculum also shined at the charity stripe, going 13-for-16 (81.3%) from the free throw line.

TTU was led by Kristina Tyler’s 23 points, while Greeneville native Meghan Lyons added 11 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Tusculum will wrap up exhibition play next Wednesday when the Pioneers travel to Furman University.

- TC -