Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Thursday, March 3
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
6:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
20-8, 14-3
71
vs
65
Florida Atlantic
13-15, 5-12
1
2
3
4
F
FAU
18
21
9
17
65
Middle Tennessee
18
11
21
21
71
Team Stats
FAU
MT
FG%
.426
.403
3FG%
.464
.313
FT%
.667
.667
RB
32
44
TO
19
11
STL
4
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballBlue Raiders secure 20-win season with 71-65 win
3/3/2016 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Five reach double figures in victory
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee secured its 11th consecutive 20-win season under Head Coach Rick Insell, and 13th straight overall, with a 71-65 win against visiting Florida Atlantic in front of 4,203 at Murphy Center Thursday.
It was a hard-earned win for the Blue Raiders (20-8, 14-3), who had another balanced attack with five players in double figures, led by freshman standout Alex Johnson's 14 points and seven rebounds. Brea Edwards just missed her third straight double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, and Ty Petty tallied 13 points, four assists and three steals.
TiAnna Porter narrowly missed her first career double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds off of the bench, and Abbey Sissom had one of her best all-around games with 10 points, five assists and one turnover in 38 minutes. Insell said Sissom's defense was also superlative in the victory.
Sissom's 3-pointer from the wing at the end of the shot clock with 28 seconds remaining put the finishing touches on the tough victory. Sissom's second trey of the game provided a 70-65 lead and came just after Florida Atlantic's Ali Gorrell drained a long 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 67-65.
After Gorrell missed a jumper, Johnson grabbed the rebound and connected on two free throws to essentially seal the victory and move the Blue Raiders within one win of locking down the No. 2 seed for the upcoming C-USA Championships.
"I told everyone what a tough opponent Florida Atlantic is and now you see why," Insell said. "They are one of the toughest teams in the conference to prepare for. Everyone contributed once again, and I am proud of the young ladies, but the MVP of this game was Abbey Sissom, and not just because of that last big shot she hit. Her defense was outstanding on (Sasha Cedeno), who we were very concerned with coming into the game. Sissom held her to six points and two of those were at the free-throw line. (Sissom) had some great passes. She had a great all-around game, and we needed it."
Middle Tennessee trailed 39-29 at the half after Florida Atlantic's Morgan Robinson beat the buzzer from halfcourt to send the Owls (13-15, 5-12) into the locker room with great momentum.
"A lot of teams would have laid down right there at the half," Insell said. "Florida Atlantic already had momentum and then they throw in that shot at the buzzer. I thought our team came out more determined in the second half and really clamped down on defense."
The Blue Raiders stormed out of the locker room on a mission and outscored the Owls, 21-9, in the quarter to take a 50-48 lead into the final quarter. Florida Atlantic was 8-for-14 from 3-point range for 57 percent in the first half, but the Blue Raiders held them to 5-for-14 in the second half.
Middle Tennessee also had its way inside as it dominated the Owls in the paint, 40-16. The Blue Raiders had 18 more assists and just 11 turnovers.
Middle Tennessee will conclude its regular season against FIU Saturday at 2 p.m. It is Senior Day as the Blue Raiders will honor student-athletes Brea Edwards, TiAnna Porter and Caroline Warden, as well as managers Eric Brewton, Jr., and Jordan Romine, immediately following the game.
It was a hard-earned win for the Blue Raiders (20-8, 14-3), who had another balanced attack with five players in double figures, led by freshman standout Alex Johnson's 14 points and seven rebounds. Brea Edwards just missed her third straight double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, and Ty Petty tallied 13 points, four assists and three steals.
TiAnna Porter narrowly missed her first career double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds off of the bench, and Abbey Sissom had one of her best all-around games with 10 points, five assists and one turnover in 38 minutes. Insell said Sissom's defense was also superlative in the victory.
Sissom's 3-pointer from the wing at the end of the shot clock with 28 seconds remaining put the finishing touches on the tough victory. Sissom's second trey of the game provided a 70-65 lead and came just after Florida Atlantic's Ali Gorrell drained a long 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 67-65.
After Gorrell missed a jumper, Johnson grabbed the rebound and connected on two free throws to essentially seal the victory and move the Blue Raiders within one win of locking down the No. 2 seed for the upcoming C-USA Championships.
"I told everyone what a tough opponent Florida Atlantic is and now you see why," Insell said. "They are one of the toughest teams in the conference to prepare for. Everyone contributed once again, and I am proud of the young ladies, but the MVP of this game was Abbey Sissom, and not just because of that last big shot she hit. Her defense was outstanding on (Sasha Cedeno), who we were very concerned with coming into the game. Sissom held her to six points and two of those were at the free-throw line. (Sissom) had some great passes. She had a great all-around game, and we needed it."
Middle Tennessee trailed 39-29 at the half after Florida Atlantic's Morgan Robinson beat the buzzer from halfcourt to send the Owls (13-15, 5-12) into the locker room with great momentum.
"A lot of teams would have laid down right there at the half," Insell said. "Florida Atlantic already had momentum and then they throw in that shot at the buzzer. I thought our team came out more determined in the second half and really clamped down on defense."
The Blue Raiders stormed out of the locker room on a mission and outscored the Owls, 21-9, in the quarter to take a 50-48 lead into the final quarter. Florida Atlantic was 8-for-14 from 3-point range for 57 percent in the first half, but the Blue Raiders held them to 5-for-14 in the second half.
Middle Tennessee also had its way inside as it dominated the Owls in the paint, 40-16. The Blue Raiders had 18 more assists and just 11 turnovers.
Middle Tennessee will conclude its regular season against FIU Saturday at 2 p.m. It is Senior Day as the Blue Raiders will honor student-athletes Brea Edwards, TiAnna Porter and Caroline Warden, as well as managers Eric Brewton, Jr., and Jordan Romine, immediately following the game.
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Rick Insell Conference USA Hall of Fame Announcement
Wednesday, July 09
2025 Blue Raider Blitz Media Panel
Thursday, July 03
MTSU Women's Basketball Coach Rick Insell interview at 2025 Blue Raider Blitz
Monday, June 30
