It’s natural for shooting guards to go through occasional slumps.

After shooting 35 percent from 3-point range and averaging 8.2 points per game as a true freshman, Angela Puleo has started the 2008-2009 campaign shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 9.5 points per game.

Puleo showed flashes of brilliance when she scored a career-high 22 points on 8-14 shooting on Nov. 20 against Oakland. Although the sophomore from Maryville, Tenn. scored 18 of her points in the first half, her clutch jump shot with just over a minute left to play proved to be the game-winner for the Lady Bulldogs.

Despite her strong play in the first road contest, Puleo has been inconsistent shooting the basketball. In three games this season, Puleo has shot below 30 percent from the field.

“Anytime you’re in a shooting slump, you try not to get it in your head,” Puleo said. “You need to go and look at your shot and see what you can adjust.”

“She’s a good shooter, but for whatever reason, some nights she’ll shoot blanks,” said head coach Andy Landers.

In Wednesday night’s matchup against Tennessee Tech, Puleo led the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points on 5-8 shooting to go along with seven assists.

“I tried to make a few adjustments because a lot of my shots in the previous game were long,” Puleo said. “I knew if I could arch the ball a little more, it would give it a chance to go in. I’ve been in a little bit of a slump, so it was good that Ashley [Houts], Christy [Marshall] and Porsha [Phillips] were able to find me early in the game and try to get some of my rhythm back.”

The Lady Bulldogs are counting on Puleo to find her form tonight against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

The Lady Bulldogs are 28-2 all-time against Tech, having won 10 of their last 11 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. But Landers sees this year’s game differently.

“I’m really excited about [the game against Tech] because they have a very good team,” Landers said. “Nothing would please me more than going in there and beating them.

“The best thing about going over there and playing them is they’ll be the best team we’ve played so far.”

Puleo expects the same intensity as last year.

“Last year, it was a very intense game, emotional game,” Puleo said. “I expect it to be no less. Georgia Tech’s a great team, and we are going to have play hard and just try to match their intensity, which I think we can do.”