Surging Raiders face FIU

Thursday, January 8

Miami, Fla.

5 PM

Middle Tennessee

FIU

1/8/2015 12:06:00 AM | Women's Basketball

MT women have won three straight

By: @MTAthletics

MIAMI – Middle Tennessee will continue its longest road trek of the season when it faces FIU in Miami Thursday at 5 p.m.

The Blue Raiders (7-4, 1-0) have won the first two games of the four-game road stretch with efficient offense and strong all-around play.

Middle Tennessee, which was voted the C-USA preseason favorite despite losing six seniors from last year's championship team, owns a 21-9 lead in the all-time series against FIU. The Blue Raiders are 16-4 against the Golden Panthers under Head Coach Rick Insell.

The Blue Raiders are 7-7 against FIU at FIU Arena. The Golden Panthers are 3-9 under veteran Head Coach Cindy Russo, including a 3-6 mark at home. FIU is led by freshman standout Kiandre'a Pound (15.9 ppg) and Taylor Shade (14.2 ppg).

The Blue Raiders have enjoyed tremendous success on the road during Insell's nine-plus seasons, especially in conference play. Middle Tennessee is 65-12 against conference opponents on the road under Insell. What's more, the Blue Raiders have won 90 percent (160-18) of their regular-season conference games under Insell.

Middle Tennessee is in the midst of a three-game winning streak and has been gaining momentum heading into the outset of C-USA play. Sophomore Olivia Jones leads the Blue Raiders. In fact, Jones has been one of C-USA's most consistent and top performers all season.

Jones leads Middle Tennessee with 19.7 points per game, 9.5 rebounds and 3.1 steals. She ranks in the top five of seven categories in the C-USA statistics. She is first in scoring, double-doubles and minutes played; second in steals and defensive rebounds; fourth in 3-point field goals made and rebounds. She also ranks among the nation's Top 100 in four statistical categories – steals (16^th), scoring (28^th), double-doubles (31^st) and rebounds (60^th).

Cheyenne Parker has also been on a roll. The senior forward is averaging 17 points and eight rebounds. She has produced four double-doubles in eight games. Ty Petty is also a game changer. Petty is tied for second in assists in C-USA, and Brea Edwards is coming off of her best all-around game as a Blue Raider.