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What looked like a 'coach's dream' - nine consecutive games at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center - has started out in nightmarish fashion for South Carolina State women's basketball coach Tonya Mackey.
After opening the extended homestand eight days ago with a one-point loss to Presbyterian College who picked up its first-ever Division I victory, Mackey enters tonight's rematch against Savannah State (4-2) without one of her team leaders.
On Tuesday, the school athletics department announced senior point guard Brittany Baity was suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules. The 5-5 senior from Riverdale, Ga. has averaged 5.6 points per game and led the Lady Bulldogs in steals (19) and assists (16). She's played the last three games with a face guard to protect a broken nose suffered, ironically, against Savannah State on Nov. 24.
Mackey did not give a timetable on Baity's possible return. While noting the Lady Bulldogs will miss her contributions, she believes this will serve as a 'learning experience' in helping them understand how to come together and compete against any adversity.
"In terms of basketball, of course Brittany brings a lot to this team," she said. "But we're going to have to pick up the pieces and play hard tomorrow."
SCSU's backcourt could even be more short-handed if freshman guard Patience Figgins is unable to play long minutes after twisting her ankle during practice. Sophomore center Marie Reid is also questionable with a sprained knee which kept her out of the Presbyterian contest, but Mackey expects her to be ready.
Coming off an eight-day layoff, Mackey is hoping for her Lady Bulldogs to come out strongly against a Lady Tigers' team which has not played in 12 days. Such was not the case in the first meeting against the Lady Tigers as SCSU (2-5) fell behind 10 points in the opening half and shot 5-27 in the second half before losing 70-46.
"I think the biggest thing is coming out and playing hard," she said. "The intensity was not there the first game. I think if we can come out and play as hard as we know we can and have a start like we did against Gardner-Webb and have a similar start that we had against Mercer, I think that will be key for us. My kids seem to feed off that. When we start well, our kids seem to feed off that."
Tonight's game, as well as every home game in December, is free to the public and WSSB 90.3 FM will carry the game live.
NCCU, WSSU to meet
in MEAC tournament
RALEIGH, NC - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Tuesday North Carolina Central and Winston-Salem State will compete in a bonus doubleheader as part of 2008 basketball tournament at the RBC Center.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams since their move up to Division I. While Winston-Salem State is close to full membership in the MEAC, North Carolina-Central remains an independent.
"We are excited that North Carolina Central University and Winston-Salem State University men's teams will be competing against each other on championship Saturday," MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said. "We want to galvanize the Eagle and Ram fans base, alumni and students to experience what our tournament is all about. We feel this is an excellent opportunity for both teams to showcase their institutions."
"The MEAC is a great conference with a strong history and tradition and we are honored to participate," Ingrid Wicker-McCree, Interim Director of Athletics, North Carolina Central University said. "I am excited about our student-athletes and coaches having the opportunity to participate with Winston-Salem State University. Both schools are making great progress in their transition to Division I and I think this tournament will showcase what we have to offer to the Division I membership."
"We are excited about this opportunity," Dr. Percy Caldwell, Director of Athletics, of Winston-Salem State University said. "When you are a reclassifying institution and in transition to Division I you look for any opportunity to showcase your team and institution. I think it is a great opportunity not only for our basketball team, but also for our institution."
Ticket books to the 2008 MEAC Basketball Tournament are on sale now and can be found through Ticketmaster outlets nationwide at MEAC School Box Offices and at the RBC Center Box Office. Tickets can also be purchased at the MEAC administrative offices by calling (757) 416-7100 or logging on to www.meachoops.com.
T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.