Jan. 10, 2011
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Georgia Tech freshman Tyaunna Marshall earned her fifth ACC Rookie of the Week honor for the week ending January 9 the conference office announced today.
Marshall’s five weekly accolades are the second most Rookie of the Week honors earned by a Yellow Jacket in her first season on The Flats. Niesha Butler won the award seven times in her rookie year of 1998-99 on her way to winning the 1999 ACC Rookie of the Year. The record for most ACC Rookie of the Week honors is held by Wake Forest’s Tracy Connor, who earned the award nine times in 1992-93.
“Ty Marshall is establishing herself as one of the best guards in the ACC, regardless of class,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “Without a doubt, she is one of the best freshmen in the conference. She is a difference maker for our team. I am proud she is getting the recognition she deserves.”
Marshall led Tech to a 2-0 week to open ACC play, the first time since 1992-93 that Tech has began conference play with a 2-0 mark. With an upset win of eighth-ranked North Carolina and a road win at Clemson, the Jackets extended their winning streak to 11 games, the longest single-season streak in school history.
In both games, her ability to drive to the rim and create shots proved immensely valuable as she was able to come up with clutch baskets at key moments. For the week, she led Tech with 17.0 ppg, was second on the squad with 3.0 apg and 2.5 spg, and third on the team with 5.5 rpg.
In the win over North Carolina, Marshall tallied a game-high 24 points in addition to seven rebounds and three assists. The biggest shot she made against the Tar Heels, and arguably the biggest shot she’s made in her short career, came out of a timeout at the 1:06 mark. Marshall made only her second career three-pointer with 1:03 left and as the shot clock expired to pull Tech within 70-66. She also grabbed the final defensive rebound after Jessica Breland missed a jumper to seal the Jackets’ victory.
In her first conference road game, Sunday at Clemson, Marshall played a key role in keeping Tech close early in the game as the Jackets struggled from the field as she had four of Tech’s first 10 points. Throughout the course of the game, she found additional ways to be a key contributor to her team as she was second on team with three assists and four steals, as well as grabbing four rebounds.
The Upper Marlboro, Md., has now scored in double digits in 13 of her 18 career games, including five games where she scored at least 20 points. Three of her five 20-plus scoring outings have come against then No. 1 Connecticut, then No. 8 North Carolina and then No. 21 Georgia.
Marshall and the Yellow Jackets will look to open the ACC season with three straight wins for only the second time when they host the Virginia Cavaliers on Thursday, Jan. 13, at Alexander Memorial Coliseum at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at 1-888-Tech-Tix.com or by calling 1-888-Tech-Tix, and available on the day of the game. For more information, visit RamblinWreck.com or follow @GTWBB on Twitter for instant updates.
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