East Tennessee State’s women’s basketball team lost to Lees-McRae 78-72 in an exhibition game Thursday night in Brooks Gym.
Junior Tiffani Mayes showed the fans how much she had improved in the off-season by scoring a game-high 26 points and leading the Bucs with six assists. She also tied for a team-high six rebounds with senior forward Lauren Trantham.
The Buccaneers could not pull together defensively, despite their offensive fire. Trantham was limited to just 15 minutes because of foul trouble but managed to contribute 11 points before fouling out with 19 seconds left in the game. Trantham was not the only Buccaneer to collect her fair share of fouls.
“Tiffani played an outstanding game, but it’s hard to beat anybody when you send them to line 34 times,” Head Coach Karen Kemp said. “I’m very pleased with the play of our posts.”
The Bobcats took advantage of the Buccaneers’ foul trouble by hitting on over 80 percent of their free-throw attempts to finish 28-of-34 from the foul line.
Lindsey Pope led Lees-McRae with 20 points, while Laura Parker was perfect from the line (8-of-8) and added 15 points. Deanna Lady tallied the night’s lone double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Coming off the bench, Courtney Gogolinski contributed 10 points. Kiya Verdell, preseason All-Southern Conference selection, was out for the game because of minor knee surgery earlier in the week.
Freshmen Brook Wilhoit and Holly Moring took Verdell’s place. Wilhoit scored five points in her debut, but Moring was held scoreless along with newcomer Dewanna Henderson.
Freshmen Anna Marie Ricciardi made an impact for the Lady Bucs, going three-of-four from the floor for six points in just 14 minutes. Freshman Whitney Tate scored six points in just under 20 minutes on the court.
Another surprise was the return of Candace Gibson, her first game back, who finished with eight points and five rebounds.
ETSU Lady Buccaneers’ next game will be Sunday, Nov. 23 against the National Women’s Basketball League Select team at 2 p.m. in Brooks Gym. The Buccaneers’ season opener will be at Temple University on Nov. 28. The first regular season home game is Dec. 13 against UNC Greensboro.

Author