Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Sunday, January 3
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
2:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
7-5, 1-0
68
vs
40
UAB
7-5, 0-1
1
2
3
4
F
UAB
15
10
9
6
40
Middle Tennessee
26
10
18
14
68
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Team Stats
UAB
MT
FG%
.314
.417
3FG%
.182
.400
FT%
.727
.706
RB
27
36
TO
25
13
STL
2
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
15
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
7
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballBlue Raiders get defensive in conference opener
1/3/2016 4:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MT throttles UAB, 68-40
MURFREESBORO – Middle Tennessee played like the team coaches picked as preseason favorites to win C-USA, and junior standout Olivia Jones played like the Preseason Player of the Year as the Blue Raiders rolled past UAB, 68-40, in the league opener for both teams at Murphy Center Sunday.
The Blue Raiders (7-5, 1-0) jumped out to an early lead with a suffocating defense and never let up on their way to the impressive win in front of 3,911.
Jones led three Blue Raiders in double figures with 17 points as she provided a stat sheet stuffer with six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Brea Edwards finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Ty Petty scored a season high 15 points and four assists.
Bolstered by the play of TiAnna Porter and Abbey Sissom, Middle Tennessee's bench supplied 17 points and outscored the Blazer (7-5, 0-1) reserves. Porter scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting and supplied five rebounds. Sissom scored five points and collected a team-best three steals.
Middle Tennessee's defense was the difference.
The Blue Raiders held UAB to their lowest point total of the season. The Blazers' previous low was 40 against Florida State. They also forced 13 turnovers but, more importantly, scored 28 points off of them. In fact, Middle Tennessee's full-court zone press helped give the Blue Raiders the early advantage.
After Jones scored the game's first points, Middle Tennessee jumped into a full-court press that produced two quick turnovers and enabled the Blue Raiders to vault to a 9-2 lead before UAB called its first timeout.
"I was real pleased with our team from a defensive standpoint," Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "That was a very good UAB team that we beat. We have been tinkering with our press. We didn't talk to the (players) about pressing as much today, but when we called it and jumped into it, we got results. Maybe we should press more."
By the end of the first quarter, Middle Tennessee led 26-15 and scored 12 of its first 26 points off of turnovers generated from up-tempo, pressure defense.
Middle Tennessee's offense was also stellar as it scored the third most points of any UAB opponent this season. The Blazers were allowing just 54 points per game before the Blue Raiders' offensive execution, coupled with strong defense, generated a 68-point uprising.
The Blue Raiders wouldn't let up in the second half as they allowed UAB just 15 points in the final 20 minutes. UAB shot just 3-for-18 from the field in the second half. The Blue Raiders also continued to dominate the boards as they won the rebounding battle, 36-27. Edwards' seven led the way, followed by six from Jones and five from Rebecca Reuter.
Middle Tennessee will face another tough challenge when it travels to UTEP (10-1, 1-0) Thursday.
NOTES: Middle Tennessee improved to 10-1 in conference openers under Head Coach Rick Insell … The Blue Raiders improved to 80-7 in January under Insell … The Blue Raiders improved to 84-5 in conference home games under Insell … Brea Edwards connected for two 3-pointers in the win. She has made at least one trey in 26 consecutive games dating to last season … MT improved to 7-2 when winning the rebounding battle … Ty Petty's 15 points were a season high … Jones tied her season high with 17 points … Jones tied her career high with five assists.
The Blue Raiders (7-5, 1-0) jumped out to an early lead with a suffocating defense and never let up on their way to the impressive win in front of 3,911.
Jones led three Blue Raiders in double figures with 17 points as she provided a stat sheet stuffer with six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Brea Edwards finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Ty Petty scored a season high 15 points and four assists.
Bolstered by the play of TiAnna Porter and Abbey Sissom, Middle Tennessee's bench supplied 17 points and outscored the Blazer (7-5, 0-1) reserves. Porter scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting and supplied five rebounds. Sissom scored five points and collected a team-best three steals.
Middle Tennessee's defense was the difference.
The Blue Raiders held UAB to their lowest point total of the season. The Blazers' previous low was 40 against Florida State. They also forced 13 turnovers but, more importantly, scored 28 points off of them. In fact, Middle Tennessee's full-court zone press helped give the Blue Raiders the early advantage.
After Jones scored the game's first points, Middle Tennessee jumped into a full-court press that produced two quick turnovers and enabled the Blue Raiders to vault to a 9-2 lead before UAB called its first timeout.
"I was real pleased with our team from a defensive standpoint," Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "That was a very good UAB team that we beat. We have been tinkering with our press. We didn't talk to the (players) about pressing as much today, but when we called it and jumped into it, we got results. Maybe we should press more."
By the end of the first quarter, Middle Tennessee led 26-15 and scored 12 of its first 26 points off of turnovers generated from up-tempo, pressure defense.
Middle Tennessee's offense was also stellar as it scored the third most points of any UAB opponent this season. The Blazers were allowing just 54 points per game before the Blue Raiders' offensive execution, coupled with strong defense, generated a 68-point uprising.
The Blue Raiders wouldn't let up in the second half as they allowed UAB just 15 points in the final 20 minutes. UAB shot just 3-for-18 from the field in the second half. The Blue Raiders also continued to dominate the boards as they won the rebounding battle, 36-27. Edwards' seven led the way, followed by six from Jones and five from Rebecca Reuter.
Middle Tennessee will face another tough challenge when it travels to UTEP (10-1, 1-0) Thursday.
NOTES: Middle Tennessee improved to 10-1 in conference openers under Head Coach Rick Insell … The Blue Raiders improved to 80-7 in January under Insell … The Blue Raiders improved to 84-5 in conference home games under Insell … Brea Edwards connected for two 3-pointers in the win. She has made at least one trey in 26 consecutive games dating to last season … MT improved to 7-2 when winning the rebounding battle … Ty Petty's 15 points were a season high … Jones tied her season high with 17 points … Jones tied her career high with five assists.
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
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Rick Insell Conference USA Hall of Fame Announcement
Wednesday, July 09
2025 Blue Raider Blitz Media Panel
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MTSU Women's Basketball Coach Rick Insell interview at 2025 Blue Raider Blitz
Monday, June 30
