MT braces for Big East battle

Sunday, December 7

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2 PM

Middle Tennessee

Xavier

12/6/2014 1:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Blue Raiders play host to Xavier Sunday

By: @MTAthletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee will be looking for its third-straight win when it faces its sixth consecutive opponent from a power conference Sunday at Murphy Center.

The Blue Raiders (3-2) have held their own despite facing one of the nation's toughest non-conference slates with one of the youngest squads Head Coach Rick Insell has fielded in his 10 years leading the program.

Middle Tennessee faces Big East member Xavier (5-2) Sunday at 2 p.m., continuing a string of power conference foes to open the season. The Blue Raiders have already faced two teams from the ACC, two from the SEC and one Pac-12, and will follow the Xavier game with a road test at No. 13 Kentucky.

"Some people believe a young team will buckle against a tough schedule but I was banking on this schedule making our team better and getting us ready for a tough Conference USA schedule," Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "I'm pleased with how the players have responded so far. We have a lot of work to do and will continue to improve, but I am pleased with the progress I am seeing every day in practice."

Sophomore standout Olivia Jones has been a key in Middle Tennessee's good start. Jones is averaging a double-double with 15.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Jones ranks 24^th nationally in rebounding and is 12^th in the nation with four double-doubles in five games.

Sophomore teammate Ty Petty has also made great strides to start her second season as a Lady Raider. Petty, who has assumed the starting point guard position, is 59^th nationally for assists per game with 4.8, which leads C-USA.

The addition of Cheyenne Parker, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, has also helped stabilize Middle Tennessee's inside attack both offensively and defensively. Parker is averaging a team-best 16 points and 8.0 rebounds in her two games.

Xavier will provide a tough challenge. The Musketeers had won three straight before dropping a road decision at St. John's in the Big East opener Wednesday. Briana Glover leads Xavier with 12 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Xavier features a balanced scoring attack with six players averaging 6.4 points or more.

Middle Tennessee has enjoyed tremendous home success with a 114-15 mark in Insell's nine-plus seasons. The Blue Raiders enter Sunday's game against Xavier ranked eighth nationally in attendance with 6,411. Sunday's game will be one of the final times for area fans to support the Blue Raiders at home as they play six of their next seven on the road.