Lady Eagles Head North to Battle Catamounts

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern women’s basketball team will conclude its four-game road trip in a key match-up at Western Carolina, Saturday (Feb. 23). The Southern Conference scuffle is slated for 12:30 p.m. at the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C. and will be broadcast on SportSouth.

Georgia Southern (16-9, 12-2 SoCon) is coming off a recent 62-39 road victory over College of Charleston (Feb. 16) which extended the win streak to five games and secured the season sweep over the Cougars. Not only are the Lady Eagles looking to extend the win streak to six games and notch the season sweep over the Catamounts, Saturday, but they are also seeking sole ownership of the second spot in the Southern Conference standings.

Western Carolina (21-6, 13-2 SoCon) is also enjoying similar success after edging Furman, 93-84, in a double-overtime battle. It’s the team’s seventh-consecutive victory with its last loss coming at the hands of the Lady Eagles at Hanner Fieldhouse in Statesboro.

Georgia Southern holds a 26-11 all-time series advantage over the Catamounts and claims an 11-4 advantage in games played at the Ramsey Center. Georgia Southern’s last victory over Western Carolina occurred earlier this season at Hanner (Jan. 26) as the Lady Eagles edged the visitors by a 64-62 decision. The Catamounts last defeated GSU in the semifinals of the Southern Conference tournament (Mar. 2, 2007) at the North Charleston Coliseum, 73-59. Prior to that tournament (Feb. 12), the Lady Eagles edged the Catamounts in an 83-81 overtime victory at Cullowhee.

Leading the Lady Eagles in scoring is senior guard Tiffany Brown (Waxhaw, N.C.) with 11.5 points per game, which is eighth-best in the conference. She is followed by classmate guard Shawnda Atwood (Pensacola, Fla.) with 10.5 points per contest, who is also leading the team with 5.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Carolyn Whitney (Duluth, Ga.) dishes out a team-high 3.21 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the conference. She consistently ranks among the nation’s leaders in assist to turnover ratio (1.97).

Western Carolina’s Brooke Johnson paces the team in points (11.9) and blocks (1.9) per game, and leads the team in field goal (.505), three-point (.400) and free-throw (.806) shooting. Teammate Monique Dawson follows with 10.6 points per game, while Chevon Keith pulls down a team- and league-best 9.1 rebounds per game.

A 1985 graduate of Louisiana Tech, head coach Rusty Cram is in his 12th season at the helm of the Lady Eagles and carries a 183-160 career and school record.

Western Carolina head coach Kellie Harper, a 1999 graduate of Tennessee, carries a 72-50 school and career record in her 4th year at the helm of the Catamounts.

	Tickets are still on sale for the Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament at the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, S.C. The tournament begins on Thursday, Mar. 6 and concludes on Monday, Mar. 10. Secure your seats through the GSU ticket office by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by clicking the “Buy Your Tickets Here” link on the www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com main page.
	Georgia Southern head women’s basketball coach Rusty Cram will be visiting students all over campus, Monday (Feb. 25) in an effort to rally student support for the remainder of the basketball season. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., he will by joined by GUS, the Georgia Southern cheerleaders and the GSU sports marketing staff as they hand out flyers and posters. They will be visiting most dormitories, the Russell Student Union, the University Store and Greek Row. Later that day, the Lady Eagles will hit the hardwood as they play host to Chattanooga at 7 p.m. in Hanner Fieldhouse.
	Following is a list of promotions for the upcoming women’s basketball game, Monday (Feb. 25) as the Lady Eagles play host to Chattanooga at 7 p.m. in Hanner Fieldhouse. • Monday’s game is Ladies Night when girls and women of all ages receive free admission. • GSU track & field team will be announced and introduced at halftime. • Lady Eagle softball team will be handing out free schedule posters and schedule cards. They will also be announced and introduced at halftime. • The first 200 fans will receive a free Subway and GSU mini basketball courtesy of Subway of Statesboro. • Verizon Wireless Street Team will be on site handing out free Georgia Southern/VERIZON promotional items. • The Chick-fil-A Cow will be at the game handing out free sandwiches, mini cows, free coupons, and taking pictures. • University Store t-shirts • Subway Shootout • Sir Shop Dress for Dash • Verizon Wireless “Dial long distance for a free Verizon phone” • Verizon beanies • Uncle Shug’s Chicken Dance 3pt Game • First Southern National Bank Fan of the Game • Manny’s Bar and Grill Delivery of the Game
	February 25th is Residence Life Night. Students from every University residence hall are invited to come out, representing their hall and cheer for the Lady Eagles to extend the winning streak to 11! These fans from 10 different resident halls should create a deafening atmosphere. Along with Residence Life, four of the University's most prestigious organizations have been personally invited to attend the game. The Student Government Association, the Southern Ambassadors, SOAR Leaders and Eagle Entertainment will be in attendance and honored during the game. These groups are not only the faces of Georgia Southern, but their dedication and hard work defines what Georgia Southern stands for. Please come show your support for the Lady Eagles, Monday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m.

Category: Women's Basketball

Published on Friday, 22 February 2008 00:15