Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Tuesday, November 14
Murfreesboro, TN
6:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
2-0
58
vs
44
Tennessee Tech
1-1
1
2
3
4
F
Tennessee Tech
7
9
17
11
44
Middle Tennessee
14
14
9
21
58
Team Stats
TTU
MT
FG%
.385
.463
3FG%
.125
.250
FT%
.750
.750
RB
25
25
TO
27
23
STL
4
14
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballReuter's career night paces Lady Raiders to victory
11/14/2017 9:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MT secures 58-44 win vs. TTU
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The longest-running women's basketball rivalry in the state of Tennessee saw another win go in Middle Tennessee's favor, as the Lady Raiders took down Tennessee Tech 58-44 Tuesday night.
It was the 42nd win and 13th in a row for MT in the series, which dates back to 1976.
"My hat goes off to [Tennessee Tech]," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee have fought in just about every sport … and I feel really blessed to be able to here. But, I'm not really happy with the way we played today, though."
The Lady Raiders' plan was evident from the start: dominate the paint.
Even without Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year Alex Johnson, who went down just five minutes into the season opener with an ankle ailment, MT was unstoppable in the post. Of its 58 points, 32 came in the paint.
Senior Rebecca Reuter was the go-to player down low, and she started immediately, making a pair of layups, including an and-one conversion, for Middle Tennessee's first five points.
She finished with career highs in points (23), field goals made (8-of-12) and free throws made (7-of-8), and added a team-high six rebounds.
"It's a big hit on our team [without Johnson]," Reuter said. "We knew that we had to pick it up … and I've tried to have a more aggressive mindset.
"I think [getting the ball down low] is always our gameplan if it's working for us. That's always our first look."
Despite their size advantage, the Lady Raiders held just a 16-14 lead four minutes into the second quarter.
A 12-2 run over the rest of the half gave them a 28-16 lead at the break, though Tennessee Tech just didn't want to go away.
A Golden Eagles' 3-pointer with just over two minutes left in the third quarter tied the game at 33. It also seemed to awaken Middle Tennessee again.
The Lady Raiders rattled off a 17-5 run over the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters, capped by a pair of baskets by junior LaSonja Edwards, and Tennessee Tech couldn't recover.
Edwards, in just seven minutes of action, finished as the only other Raider in double-figure scoring with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
"She's a very talented young lady," Insell said. "But, she's got to learn our system better. We want to get her the ball more … when we do, she can really score."
Even while the Golden Eagles were making runs to stay in the game, Middle Tennessee's stingy defense never wavered.
The Lady Raiders forced 27 turnovers, 14 coming off steals, and capitalized with 26 points off those turnovers. They also allowed TTU to shoot just 38 percent (15-of-39) for the game.
Middle Tennessee's defensive intensity was crucial with 23 turnovers committed themselves.
"I think that was definitely on us as a team," senior Abbey Sissom said of her team's giveaways. "We went in with a very highly motivated mindset to Vanderbilt, and coached preached all week about keeping that mindset. I don't think we did that."
Sissom finished with nine points, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. She also led the team with five assists and a career-high four steals.
The Lady Raiders will stay at home for their next contest. Lipscomb will make the short drive from Nashville on Sunday, Nov. 19, for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
It was the 42nd win and 13th in a row for MT in the series, which dates back to 1976.
"My hat goes off to [Tennessee Tech]," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee have fought in just about every sport … and I feel really blessed to be able to here. But, I'm not really happy with the way we played today, though."
The Lady Raiders' plan was evident from the start: dominate the paint.
Even without Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year Alex Johnson, who went down just five minutes into the season opener with an ankle ailment, MT was unstoppable in the post. Of its 58 points, 32 came in the paint.
Senior Rebecca Reuter was the go-to player down low, and she started immediately, making a pair of layups, including an and-one conversion, for Middle Tennessee's first five points.
She finished with career highs in points (23), field goals made (8-of-12) and free throws made (7-of-8), and added a team-high six rebounds.
"It's a big hit on our team [without Johnson]," Reuter said. "We knew that we had to pick it up … and I've tried to have a more aggressive mindset.
"I think [getting the ball down low] is always our gameplan if it's working for us. That's always our first look."
Despite their size advantage, the Lady Raiders held just a 16-14 lead four minutes into the second quarter.
A 12-2 run over the rest of the half gave them a 28-16 lead at the break, though Tennessee Tech just didn't want to go away.
A Golden Eagles' 3-pointer with just over two minutes left in the third quarter tied the game at 33. It also seemed to awaken Middle Tennessee again.
The Lady Raiders rattled off a 17-5 run over the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters, capped by a pair of baskets by junior LaSonja Edwards, and Tennessee Tech couldn't recover.
Edwards, in just seven minutes of action, finished as the only other Raider in double-figure scoring with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
"She's a very talented young lady," Insell said. "But, she's got to learn our system better. We want to get her the ball more … when we do, she can really score."
Even while the Golden Eagles were making runs to stay in the game, Middle Tennessee's stingy defense never wavered.
The Lady Raiders forced 27 turnovers, 14 coming off steals, and capitalized with 26 points off those turnovers. They also allowed TTU to shoot just 38 percent (15-of-39) for the game.
Middle Tennessee's defensive intensity was crucial with 23 turnovers committed themselves.
"I think that was definitely on us as a team," senior Abbey Sissom said of her team's giveaways. "We went in with a very highly motivated mindset to Vanderbilt, and coached preached all week about keeping that mindset. I don't think we did that."
Sissom finished with nine points, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. She also led the team with five assists and a career-high four steals.
The Lady Raiders will stay at home for their next contest. Lipscomb will make the short drive from Nashville on Sunday, Nov. 19, for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
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
