Chattanooga, Tenn. -The Tennessee Temple University Women's basketball team concluded the 2009-10 campaign with an 11-15 record for 19th place finish in the NCCAA final standing. TTU finished the season with a 88-74 loss to King College in the NCCAA Division 1 Mid-East Region Semi-Final game.

A transition year with a new coach, TTU played their most difficult schedule in recent years. The ‘Crusaders were 6-5 at the McGilvray Gymnasium during the season. The Lady Crusaders faced seven NAIA I opponents, four of which were ranked in the top 25 National rankings, including Lee University, who reached the semi-final of the national tournament. The ‘Crusaders were 4-4 against NAIA II Appalachian Athletic Conference opponents, including a sweep of long time rivals Covenant College and splitting with conference champions Tennessee Wesleyan College with a 72-70 win at home and a 48-47 loss on the road.         

TTU saw three players average in double figures this year - Jr Cherelle James at 14.6 ppg, Sr Stephanie Lovett at 12.8 ppg, and Jr. Kanetra Gonzalez at 11.6 ppg. Cherelle James's 198 rebounds led the team on the glass as she averaged almost eight rebounds an outing (7.9 rpg). James made more field goals than any other ‘Crusader with 143 while shooting nearly 49 percent from the field (48.8). Stephanie Lovett was the top three-point shooter as she shot 37 percent from behind the arc and made 77 three's during the season. Lovett attempted 101 free throws and converted 77(76.2 percent).  Lovett also lead the team in steals (65) and Gonzalez lead the team in assists (102) averaging 4.1apg.

James, Lovett and Gonzalez were all recognized as NCCAA Division 1 Mid-East Region Honorable Mention selections. TTU lose two big players to graduation this year in Senior captains Stephanie Lovett, who started every game this year, and Shontale Wells who started every game but one this season due to injury. Stephanie Lovett plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham next fall after being accepted to grad school to become a Physicians Assistant. Shontale Wells will graduate after completing her student teaching next year, and next season will continue to be a part of the Lady Crusader program as a Student Assistant.

Coach Liburd is excited about the upcoming season, after seeing the growth of a young team, and the opportunity of returning some key under-classmen. The Lady Crusaders are continuing to take strides forward as a team and the Crusader family is excited by the direction of the program.