Monday, January 12, 2009

MACON, Ga. (Jan. 12, 2009) - Junior Latisha Belcher (Martinsville, Va.) surely enjoyed the warm weather and Florida sun this past weekend, as she led the Lady Bucs in scoring at Florida Gulf Coast and Stetson. In return, the Martinsville, Va. native landed Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors, announced Monday by the league office.

Belcher, who is averaging a team-best 15.2 points per game in six conference games, played an important role in the Lady Buccaneer wins this past week.

The junior post player kicked things off with an impressive showing at Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday night. Belcher finished with a game-high 18 points and grabbed five rebounds, while forcing four steals. In addition, Belcher went 8-for-9 from the field - setting a new career high for field goals made. The 75-67 victory was also a special one for head coach Karen Kemp, as it marked her 200^th career victory. Then, in ETSU's 53-52 win over Stetson on Saturday, Belcher also drained eight field goals to finish with a game-high 18 points. The 2008 Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP - who sank the go-ahead shot with 3:11 to play - ended with nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 39 minutes of action.

For the week Belcher averaged 18 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 steals in 38 minutes of action. Belcher only missed six shots on the weekend en route to posting a blistering 72.7 shooting percentage (16-of-22).

This marks the first time the Pre-education major has won the award and second time an ETSU player has won it this season (Siarre Evans).

ETSU concludes its three-game road swing Tuesday night when Belcher and the Lady Bucs take on Liberty in a non-conference showdown. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. inside the Vines Center.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

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