Tech Hosts Western Carolina Sunday

Nov. 9, 2013

In a quick turnaround following its 79-57 win against Coppin State, the rv/rv Georgia Tech women’s basketball team hosts Western Carolina on Sunday at 2 p.m. at McCamish Pavilion. Live stats will be available on GameTracker and fans that can’t make it to the Flats can listen on WREK 91.1 FM.

The Jackets look to continue its momentum after a dominating 79-57 win against the Eagles. During the season-opening win, freshman Kaela Davis had a stellar performance, recording a double-double and led the team in both scoring, 20 points, and rebounding, 11 points. Sophomores Aaliyah Whiteside and Nariah Taylor also scored in double-figures, with Whiteside tallying 10 points and Taylor contributing a career-high 14. Senior Dawnn Mayedished out a team-high six helpers.

Sunday is also Kids Day – every kid will be admitted free of charge and there will be a pre-game KidZone with inflatables, a D.J. and more.

A WIN WOULD…
– Put the Jackets at 2-0 for the sixth time under Coach Joseph
– Be the 195th win of Coach Joseph’s career, putting her five wins shy of becoming only the second Yellow Jacket coach to reach the 200 milestone
– Be the 295th home win for the Yellow Jackets all-time

SUNDAY IS KIDS DAY
This season, every Sunday will be Kids Day with children admitted free of charge. There will be a KidZone for them to enjoy pre-game as well. As always, Georgia Tech students are admitted free to all home games with their BuzzCard.

SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
The Catamounts suffered a 67-64 season-opening loss at Mercer on Friday night. During the loss, senior guard Hana Haden came off the bench to score a career-high 18 points. Two other Catamount players scored in double figures for Western Carolina with sophomore Lindsay Simpson adding 15 and sophomore forward Erika Joseph scoring 11. Senior Shauna Terry led the team with nine rebounds.

The Catamounts returned 12 players from last year’s squad that went 7-23 overall and finished ninth in the SoCon with a 5-15 record. WCU welcomed two newcomers this year, including Atlanta Ga. native, Alexis Carter.

The Catamounts are coached by Karen Middleton who is in her sixth year at the helm of Western Carolina.

DYNAMIC DEBUT
Freshman Kaela Davis’debut for the Jackets was nothing short of spectacular. Davis, a native of Suwanee, Ga., led the team in scoring, 20 points, and rebounding, 11 boards, on her way to her first career double-double during her first career game.

Davis’ 20 points led all ACC rookies on opening night and was the second-highest amount of points scored by an ACC player on Friday night. Her 11 rebounds also tied for fourth during all ACC season-opening games.

LAST TIME OUT – COPPIN STATE
The Yellow Jackets opened up the 2013-14 season with a 79-57 victory against Coppin State at home. In her first game as a Yellow Jacket, Davis recorded a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The freshman was hot from behind the 3-point line, making four baskets from behind the arc.

Davis was one of three Tech players who scored in double figures against the Eagles. Sophomore Nariah Taylor added a career-high 14 points, while recording seven rebounds and sophomore Aaliyah Whitesidecontributed 10 points and six boards.

Senior Dawnn Mayehad a team-high six assists while scoring eight points and recording three steals.

TAYLOR’S CAREER NIGHT
Sophomore Nariah Taylorscored a career-high 14 points against Coppin State. Her previous career-high was eight points in a single game. Taylor went 6-of-7 from the field for a shooting percentage of 85.7, which ranks first in the ACC.

PRESEASON POLLS
In both the AP Top-25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Yellow Jackets are receiving votes. Six ACC teams are featured in the AP Preseason Top 25: Duke (2), Notre Dame (6), Maryland (8), UNC (12), Georgia Tech (RV) and Florida State (RV). In the USA Today poll, seven ACC teams are featured: Duke (2), Maryland (6), Notre Dame (7), UNC (11), Georgia Tech (RV), Florida State (RV) and Syracuse (RV).

CHASING 200
As she enters her 11th season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets, head coach MaChelle Josephhas a chance to become only the second Georgia Tech head coach to win 200 games on the Flats.

Joseph currently has 194 wins, needing just six more to eclipse the mark. Her predecessor, Agnus Berenato, is the only women’s basketball coach at Tech to finish with at least 200 wins. Berenato finished her 15-year tenure leading the Yellow Jackets with a 223-209 record.

NEXT UP
The Yellow Jackets hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to #4/4 Tennessee for a contest on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Follow the Yellow Jackets

For an inside look at the program, follow Georgia Tech women’s basketball on Twitter, @GTWBB, Instagram, GTWBB, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensBasketball.

–RamblinWreck.com–