Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Sunday, November 26
Asheville, NC
1 PM
Middle Tennessee
4-0
72
at
57
UNC Asheville
0-5
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tennessee
21
21
13
17
72
UNC Asheville
8
17
14
18
57
Team Stats
MT
AVL
FG%
.604
.372
3FG%
.583
.286
FT%
.778
.657
RB
27
26
TO
19
18
STL
7
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
9
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
Lady Raiders improve to 4-0 behind balanced effort
11/26/2017 4:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Allison leads way with 24 points
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Middle Tennessee used a blistering shooting performance and received contributions throughout the lineup as it improved to 4-0 with a 72-57 win at UNC Asheville Sunday afternoon.
Kyla Allison led the Lady Raiders' balanced attack with a career-best performance that included 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field in 27 minutes of action. She added three assists, two rebounds and a steal to help Middle Tennessee start the season 4-0 for the first time since 1995.
The Lady Raiders scorched the nets to the tune of 60.4 percent, knocking down 29 of 48 shots. They were equally impressive from long distance, burying 7-of-12 3-pointers for a 58.3 percentage. Middle Tennessee came into the game ranked 27th nationally for 3-point field goal percentage.
"This was a very good road win under some adverse situations so I am very proud of our basketball team and the way our young ladies responded," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Insell said. "We had so many players step up and contribute to this win. We shot the basketball extremely well and never really got rattled."
The game also marked the return of junior post Alex Johnson, who played 13 minutes and scored six points. It was Johnson's first action since suffering an ankle injury five minutes into the season opener at Vanderbilt.
"More than anything I just wanted to get Alex into the game and get some game action," Insell said. "Overall, she did fine. She felt good after the game so that was encouraging. It was good to see her out there again."
Allison's performance was dynamic but the sophomore guard was not the only Lady Raider with a sterling effort. Jess Louro finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, along with two steals.
Insell moved Abbey Sissom to the point position prior to the Lipscomb game and she continued to flourish in that role Sunday. Sissom had 10 points, eight assists and no turnovers in 40 minutes of work. Gabby Lyon was outstanding, going 4-for-4 from the field and finishing with eight points and four rebounds.
It was Lyon who helped Middle Tennessee get off to a strong start. She scored six points in the first three minutes to get the Lady Raiders rolling and they never relented.
Middle Tennessee took control early when it jumped out to a 21-8 lead after the first quarter of action, and led 42-25 at the intermission.
"We have a veteran basketball team and one of the things I am proud of is how we have started in both of our road games (Vanderbilt, UNCA)," Insell said. "We have come out focused, sharp and executing on both ends of the floor. That's the sign of a mature team with solid leadership."
Even though the Lady Raiders sparkled on offense, they didn't allow their trademark defense to suffer. Middle Tennessee entered the game ranked eighth nationally for scoring defense allowing 48.7 points per game. They limited the Bulldogs to 37 percent shooting. In fact, UNCA only managed 16 field goals but it went to the free-throw line a staggering 35 times, making 23. The Lady Raiders were 7-of-9 from the line.
UNCA made a third-quarter run to cut a 16-point Lady Raider lead to 10, 46-36, with 3:47 remaining, but Sissom's long 3-pointer pushed the lead back to 13 and the Bulldogs never got closer.
It was the first of three straight road games for the Lady Raiders, who visit Ole Miss Wednesday. Tipoff is 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.
Kyla Allison led the Lady Raiders' balanced attack with a career-best performance that included 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field in 27 minutes of action. She added three assists, two rebounds and a steal to help Middle Tennessee start the season 4-0 for the first time since 1995.
The Lady Raiders scorched the nets to the tune of 60.4 percent, knocking down 29 of 48 shots. They were equally impressive from long distance, burying 7-of-12 3-pointers for a 58.3 percentage. Middle Tennessee came into the game ranked 27th nationally for 3-point field goal percentage.
"This was a very good road win under some adverse situations so I am very proud of our basketball team and the way our young ladies responded," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Insell said. "We had so many players step up and contribute to this win. We shot the basketball extremely well and never really got rattled."
The game also marked the return of junior post Alex Johnson, who played 13 minutes and scored six points. It was Johnson's first action since suffering an ankle injury five minutes into the season opener at Vanderbilt.
"More than anything I just wanted to get Alex into the game and get some game action," Insell said. "Overall, she did fine. She felt good after the game so that was encouraging. It was good to see her out there again."
Allison's performance was dynamic but the sophomore guard was not the only Lady Raider with a sterling effort. Jess Louro finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, along with two steals.
Insell moved Abbey Sissom to the point position prior to the Lipscomb game and she continued to flourish in that role Sunday. Sissom had 10 points, eight assists and no turnovers in 40 minutes of work. Gabby Lyon was outstanding, going 4-for-4 from the field and finishing with eight points and four rebounds.
It was Lyon who helped Middle Tennessee get off to a strong start. She scored six points in the first three minutes to get the Lady Raiders rolling and they never relented.
Middle Tennessee took control early when it jumped out to a 21-8 lead after the first quarter of action, and led 42-25 at the intermission.
"We have a veteran basketball team and one of the things I am proud of is how we have started in both of our road games (Vanderbilt, UNCA)," Insell said. "We have come out focused, sharp and executing on both ends of the floor. That's the sign of a mature team with solid leadership."
Even though the Lady Raiders sparkled on offense, they didn't allow their trademark defense to suffer. Middle Tennessee entered the game ranked eighth nationally for scoring defense allowing 48.7 points per game. They limited the Bulldogs to 37 percent shooting. In fact, UNCA only managed 16 field goals but it went to the free-throw line a staggering 35 times, making 23. The Lady Raiders were 7-of-9 from the line.
UNCA made a third-quarter run to cut a 16-point Lady Raider lead to 10, 46-36, with 3:47 remaining, but Sissom's long 3-pointer pushed the lead back to 13 and the Bulldogs never got closer.
It was the first of three straight road games for the Lady Raiders, who visit Ole Miss Wednesday. Tipoff is 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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
