Wednesday, December 16, 2009

BOONE, N.C. (Dec. 16, 2009) - After having a 12-day break to focus on final exams, the ETSU women's basketball team returns to action when the Lady Bucs and Appalachian State renew their longtime rivalry on Thursday night. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the Holmes Center.

The Lady Bucs - who have won back-to-back games for the first time since the end of last season - have been explosive on the offensive end during this stretch. In its wins over Hawai'i and North Florida, ETSU is averaging 88 points per game and shooting 43 percent from the field.

ETSU (3-3, 1-0 A-Sun) is coming off a 28-point win in its last game against UNF back on Dec. 5 inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center. That contest saw four Lady Buccaneer players score in double figures, with seniors Siarre Evans (Griffin, Ga.) and TaRonda Wiles (Danville, Va.) posting double-doubles. Evans scored a game-high 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds; while Wiles recorded 14 points and 10 boards. Both Wiles (18.3ppg) and Evans (18.0ppg) rank one-two in scoring amongst Atlantic Sun competitors, and Evans ranks fifth in the country with her five double-doubles on the year.

While the Lady Bucs are thriving at home (2-0 on the season), Appalachian State (3-4, 1-1 SoCon) is still searching for its first home win in 2009-10. The Mountaineers have lost to Charlotte (57-74) and Georgia Southern (68-73) in Boone this season, but Appalachian State is coming off a 68-59 victory at Davidson back on Dec. 7. 

The Mountaineers are led by junior guard Sam Ramirez, as she is averaging 13.6 points per game and has nailed 17 three-pointers on the year. In addition to Ramirez, freshman post Ashlen Dewart has been a bright spot for coach Darcie Vincent and the Mountaineers. Dewart is recording 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26.7 minutes of action so far this rookie season.

Thursday marks the 63rd meeting between these two programs, with Appalachian State clinging to a 32-30 lead. However, the Lady Bucs have won six of the last nine meetings - including a 72-68 victory a year ago in Johnson City. ETSU is searching for its first win in Boone since knocking off the Mountaineers, 74-69, back on Feb. 14, 2004.

Fans unable to make the trip to Boone can listen to all the action, as "Voice of the Lady Bucs" Don Helman will be handling the play-by-play duties. Fans in Johnson City should tune into WKPT-AM (1590), WOPI-AM (1490) in Bristol, WKPT-AM (1400) in Kingsport. In addition, 94.3 in Kingsport, 97.9 in Bristol, and 97.7 in Johnson City will carry the game. Also, live video and stats will be available courtesy of Appalachian State athletics. To access live video and stats, visit GoASU.com or click on the links above. 

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