NASHVILLE — The Tennesee State University women's basketball team opens the 2021-22 season at home against Fisk on Tuesday evening.
The Matchup: Tennessee State Tigers (0-0, 0-0 OVC) vs. Fisk Bulldogs (0-6, 0-0 GCAC)
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 9 at 5:30 pm.
Location: Gentry Center || Nashville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN+ — Alex Gould (pxp), Will Brown (analyst)
Live Stats
SERIES INFORMATION: This is the 12th all-time meeting between Jefferson Street rivals Tennessee State University and Fisk University. The two North Nashville Universities are separated by a mere 0.9 miles from John A. Merritt Blvd. to 17th Ave. N. The Tigers have dominated over their local counterparts winning the last 10 matchups with Fisk taking the first game during the 1977-78 season, a 65-61 victory. The last meeting came in 2019, a 91-50 victory for the Tigers. Four Tigers finished in double figures, led by Deaja Richardson's 17 points.
NEW LOOK FOR THE TIGERS: In his second season at the helm of TSU, head coach Ty Evans and his staff hit the recruiting trail hard after a disappointing first year on the job. Evans and his staff welcome 12 newcomers to the roster with six players already having Division I experience. The team did keep two returners in sophomore Kennedy Davis and senior Shonnybelle Regalado, who previously transferred to TSU from Panola College but played her freshman season at D1 member Delaware State. The Tigers welcome four freshmen to the roster led by Gia Adams, a 2,000-point scorer in high school.
TOUGH NON-CONFERENCE AHEAD: Coach Evans has put together a tough out-of-conference slate for his team, as the Tigers will venture away from the Gentry Center eight times featuring games at Kansas and a December event at Stetson. The Tigers welcome UT Chattanooga, Mercer and Kansas City during the non-league run.
SAVANNAH SLAYER: Alexis Pierce will make her TSU debut on Tuesday as the graduate student from Jacksonville University is ready to make her mark in Nashville. Pierce started in 19 of 20 games as a senior for the Dolphins and averaged 9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest. She reached double figures in 10 games last season. Pierce was second on JU in made three-pointers with 21. The guard had a season-best 19 points against Bellarmine on 6-of-8 shooting.
ROCKET LAUNCHER: After four-years at Toledo, Tayana Davis is set to join the Tigers and will make a difference on opening night. In 88 career games, Davis averaged 4.4 points per game, 1.6 rebounds and shot 34 percent from the field. As a junior, Davis had her best season with 7.1 ppg and 2.3 rebounds in 28 games.
TIGERS ADD SIZE IN McCULLOUGH: Another transfer that will be a force in the OVC this year is Sierra McCullough, a 6-2 forward by way of UNC Charlotte. McCullough played in 20 games for the 49ers and averaged 1.9 points per game.
ROBINS TO THE RESCUE: Lacy Robins travels North to Nashville after one season at Georgia Southern where she averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg. She had a season-high 11 points at Appalachian State in February.
WESTBROOK'S MAGIC: Kianni Westbrook spent two seasons at Daytona State, a junior college in Florida and averaged double figures in scoring both seasons. As a rookie, Westbrook netted 12.7 ppg and shot 53 percent from the field. She also pulled own 9.4 rebounds per contest and had a season-high 22 points against Eastern Florida State College. In her sophomore season, Westbrook averaged a double-double (14.7 ppg and 11.5 rpg).
CLAYTOR'S CREATION: Dominique Claytor is the second TSU transfer who played all four-years at another school. Claytor played at East Carolina and in 109 career games, averaged 4.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg. Claytor played in at least 20 games in all four seasons and appeared in 29 games each of her first three seasons in Charlotte. As a junior, Claytor averaged a career-best 7.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
