Lady Eagles to Host WBCA Pink Zone© And Senior Night Wednesday Against Brevard

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The No. 21 Carson-Newman Lady Eagles will host their annual WBCA Pink Zone© game on Wednesday evening at Holt Fieldhouse at 6:00 p.m., when they take on the Tornados of Brevard in South Atlantic Conference action. The contest will also be senior night for three Lady Eagle seniors, who have helped guide the team to a 19-4 record and an 8-4 mark in league play so far this year.

The Pink Zone is the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s official fundraiser for breast cancer research through the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in conjunction with the V Foundation.

“We would like to raise the most money out of all the schools in our conference,” said Head Coach Dean Walsh. “Our goal is $1,500.00 and 1500 fans. If every person who comes Wednesday would donate one dollar to this very worthy cause, I believe we could reach or surpass this goal.”

Pink tickets will be sold for one dollar each at the gate for a chance to win prizes at halftime of both the women’s and men’s games. All of the money raised will go directly to the Kay Yow Foundation. All fans are also encouraged to wear pink to support the cause. Pink C-N t-shirts can be purchased at the campus bookstore.

Wednesday’s contest will also serve as senior night for three Lady Eagles completing their final season at Mossy Creek. Liz Stringer (Parma, Ohio), Shari Buford (Hampton, Ga.) and Ashley Kyle (Jefferson City, Tenn.) will be honored before the contest for their accomplishments while at Carson-Newman.

“These three young ladies are not only tremendous basketball players but strong young women that will make an impact on today’s society,” Walsh said of this year’s seniors.

Stringer is a two-time junior college academic All-America selection, and a captain on the squad.

“Liz has been instrumental in our success over the past two years with her leadership and work ethic,” commented Walsh.

Buford, a captain and four-time All-SAC selection, holds the Carson-Newman record for field goal percentage (56.8%). She has also tallied 1394 points, 965 rebounds and a school record 189 blocks. She is on pace to become only the third person in program history to record 1000 points and 1000 rebounds and could be the only player to have 1000 points, 1000 rebounds and 200 blocks. She was a Preseason All-America Honorable Mention and was named the November National Player of the Month by the Women’s Division II Bulletin.

“Shari came in as a skinny athlete and will leave as not only a great athlete but a tremendous basketball player. She’ll be known as one of the best athletes this program has ever seen,” added Walsh.

Kyle, also a captain, is a two-time all-league pick and currently ranks 14th in C-N history with 1030 career points. She is fifth in the Carson-Newman records and 10th in the SAC with 436 assists and sports a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.77. She also has 175 steals to her credit and is ninth all-time in three-pointers made at C-N. Kyle holds the school record for charges drawn in a season with 35 last year.

“It has been a joy and pleasure to coach Ashley Kyle for the past four years,” said Walsh. “She’s the ultimate competitor and warrior, two characteristics of a great point guard. Kyle will go down as one of the best point guards in C-N history.”

Those unable to attend Wednesday’s game will be able to donate to the Kay Yow Fund on Saturday afternoon when the Lady Eagles face Lincoln Memorial at Holt Fieldhouse at 2:00 p.m., in their final regular season home game.

-Joe Matthews, C-N Sports Information