Sunday, January 13, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 13, 2008) - Coming off a shocking 11-point loss to Gardner-Webb Saturday, the ETSU women's basketball team will look to pick up the pieces and get back on track when the Lady Bucs host Campbell Monday night. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside Memorial Center.

Prior to the season the Lady Bucs decided they were going to use the motto "One Team...One Goal!" which meant an entire team effort will need to take place in order for ETSU to become Atlantic Sun champions. Following Saturday's loss, the Lady Bucs realized it is not going to be an easy task to achieve their goal unless the entire ETSU team takes its game to a new level and begins playing better basketball for the remainder of the season.

Inviting Campbell to Johnson City Monday night could be the correct remedy for the Lady Bucs, as ETSU has never lost to the Lady Camels in the prior four meetings. ETSU defeated the Lady Camels, 87-66, in Buies Creek, N.C. and won by 18 points in Johnson City, 84-66. Michele DeVault (Columbus, Ohio) is averaging 17 points in three career games against the Camels; while Siarre Evans (Griffin, Ga.) is posting 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in her two meetings vs. the conference foe.

Fans unable to attend the game can watch via the live video streaming accessed at ASun.TV or by clicking the link located above. 

Below is a breakdown of Saturday's match-up:

Lady Bucs' Last Time Out

It was not the way senior Michele DeVault envisioned entering the record books Saturday afternoon, as Gardner-Webb handed ETSU its first conference loss of the season, 82-71, from Memorial Center. DeVault became the 15^th Lady Buccaneer player in ETSU history to reach the 1,000-point club and the all-time leader in three-pointers made at 178.

Things looked great early on for the Lady Bucs as they led by as many as 12 in the first half, but Gardner-Webb's second half spurt crushed any hopes of ETSU extending its conference home win streak to eight games. The Runnin' Bulldogs did just that as they blitzed ETSU for 51 second half points to improve to 7-9, 3-0 in league play. The loss puts the Lady Buccaneers at 5-9, 1-1, and it marks their first conference loss at home since falling to Belmont on Jan. 6, 2007.

About Campbell

Wanda Watkins is in her 27th season as head coach of the Campbell women's basketball program this year. She will lead a youthful, yet determined team through the final season to be played in Carter Gym, before a new era begins in the Gilbert Craig Gore Arena of the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.

Marlena Murphy, a 2006-07 Atlantic Sun All-Conference First-Team recipient, finished last season as the team's high scorer, averaging 12.1 points per game. The senior from Fayetteville, N.C., also earned NCCSIA University Division All-State Women's Basketball All-State First Team honors following her junior season.

This season Campbell stands at 6-10, 1-2 in the Atlantic Sun. Murphy is the lone player in the conference to be averaging a double-double with 14.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game (both team-leading stats). In league games, Murphy is posting 18.3 points and 14 rebounds in three games. The Camels snapped a five-game losing streak with their 84-70 victory over USC Upstate Saturday. As a team, Campbell is 59.1 points per game and allowing 63.5 (-4.4 scoring margin).

What Happened?

Prior to the Radford game (Dec. 20), the Lady Bucs were one of the best free throw shooting teams in the country at 75.4 percent (132-175). However, in its last six games, ETSU is shooting a dismal 64.9 percent (85-131). Still, two Lady Buccaneer players are shooting over 80 percent from the charity stripe. Senior Michele DeVault is 43-for-51 (84.3 percent) and TaRonda Wiles is shooting 84.4 percent (27-32) from the line.

Home Sweet Home

Despite being 3-3 at home this season, the Lady Bucs have enjoyed a home court advantage throughout the past couple years. Since the start of the 2005-06 season, ETSU has won 23 of its 31 (.742) games played in Johnson City. Also, the Lady Bucs have won 17 of their last 21 home conference games; however ETSU had its seven-game home winning streak against A-Sun schools snapped on Saturday. It marked the first time ETSU lost a conference home game since falling to Belmont, 78-69, on Jan. 6, 2007. 

Lady Bucs Havin' Fun in the A-Sun

Prior to the season, ETSU was picked to finish first in the conference according to the media and second by the coaches. The Lady Bucs start their third season in the league after posting stellar starts the previous two years. During the last two seasons, ETSU has tallied 28 regular season conference wins and the Lady Bucs have the highest winning percentage among conference foes both all-time and in conference play. ETSU is currently 41-16 (.719) all-time against current A-Sun members and 30-13 (.698) in league play (including the conference tournament). The Lady Bucs have perfect 4-0 marks against Campbell, Kennesaw State, and North Florida all-time as well as against Stetson in league play only.

DeVault Eyeing 100

Senior Nichelle Akers played her 100th game in a Lady Buccaneer uniform on Saturday vs. Gardner-Webb and tonight Michele DeVault will accomplish the task as she will start in her 47th straight contest when ETSU faces Campbell.

A Look Ahead

The Lady Bucs embark on a three-game road trip, beginning with their final non-conference game of the season Wednesday night. ETSU will face old SoCon rival Appalachian State on Jan. 16. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside the Holmes Center. 

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