Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Thursday, February 4
Boca Raton, Fla.
6:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
14-7, 8-2
83
at
73
Florida Atlantic
11-10, 3-7
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tennessee
28
17
23
15
83
FAU
16
12
21
24
73
Team Stats
MT
FAU
FG%
.592
.466
3FG%
.643
.423
FT%
.800
.800
RB
29
24
TO
17
14
STL
6
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
5
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Hot-shooting Raiders win fifth straight, 83-73
2/4/2016 8:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Move within one game of C-USA lead
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Middle Tennessee rode one of the best shooting games in program history to its fifth straight win, an 83-73 triumph against Florida Atlantic, and move within one game of first place in C-USA.
The Blue Raiders (14-7, 8-2) started the second half of the league race much in same manner as it finished the first half – shooting a very high percentage and getting several players involved in the offense.
Middle Tennessee shot 59.2 percent (29-for-49) from the field, which goes down as the sixth-best shooting game in program history. The Blue Raiders were even hotter from beyond the arc as they blistered the nets to the tune of 64.3 percent after knocking down nine of their 14 3-point attempts. They also continued their strong free-throw shooting as they connected on 16-of-20 for 80 percent.
The win, coupled with Marshall's victory against UTEP, moved the Blue Raiders to within one game of the lead in C-USA.
"Our ladies played well and this was a big road win," Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "We knew it would be a tough game against a good FAU team that had won nine games at home. They have some of the best 3-point shooters in our conference so I'm really pleased with how we came in focused and took control of the game early."
Reigning National Player of the Week Brea Edwards continued her torrid pace with 23 points and nine rebounds. Edwards, who entered the game eighth nationally in 3-point field goal percentage, connected on four of her five 3-point attempts.
Freshman sensation Alex Johnson also added to her impressive rookie resume with 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field. She also dished out a season-high four assists. Ty Petty had 13 points and six assists, and Gabby Lyon rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Lyon turned in the most complete game of her career as she also added five assists, two steals and limited one of FAU's top guards, Kat Wright, to three points on 1-for-8 shooting.
Rebecca Reuter was solid with nine points and five rebounds and Abbey Sissom added eight points.
As good as the guard play was, Middle Tennessee's forwards were the big story. Johnson, Lyon, Reuter and TiAnna Porter combined for 39 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. They also shot a combined 15-for-21 for 71.4 percent. The Blue Raiders scored 38 points in the paint.
"Our posts were the difference in the game," Insell said. "They gave us a strong presence inside and did a great job getting open and finishing shots. I thought Gabby Lyon was the MVP of the game. She had her best all-around game but the defensive job she did on (Wright) was incredible."
Middle Tennessee took control with a sizzling shooting performance in the first half. The Blue Raiders opened by shooting an impressive 67 percent (12-for-18) in the first quarter and followed that by shooting 60 percent (6-for-10) in the second quarter. The Blue Raiders shot 64 percent (18-for-28) in the first half as they staked claim to a 45-28 halftime lead.
Johnson put on a clinic in the first half. She was 6-for-6 from the field and led all scorers with 13 points in the first half. Petty was also instrumental in the opening half with 11 points and five assists.
Everyone who played did something promising.
FAU cut the lead to seven, 28-21, midway through the second quarter but Sissom came through with three straight field goals. Her second 3-pointer in a four-minute span pushed the lead to 41-23 as the Blue Raiders regained their poise as the half approached.
Middle Tennessee will look to keep its winning streak alive when it faces FIU in Miami Saturday.
The Blue Raiders (14-7, 8-2) started the second half of the league race much in same manner as it finished the first half – shooting a very high percentage and getting several players involved in the offense.
Middle Tennessee shot 59.2 percent (29-for-49) from the field, which goes down as the sixth-best shooting game in program history. The Blue Raiders were even hotter from beyond the arc as they blistered the nets to the tune of 64.3 percent after knocking down nine of their 14 3-point attempts. They also continued their strong free-throw shooting as they connected on 16-of-20 for 80 percent.
The win, coupled with Marshall's victory against UTEP, moved the Blue Raiders to within one game of the lead in C-USA.
"Our ladies played well and this was a big road win," Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "We knew it would be a tough game against a good FAU team that had won nine games at home. They have some of the best 3-point shooters in our conference so I'm really pleased with how we came in focused and took control of the game early."
Reigning National Player of the Week Brea Edwards continued her torrid pace with 23 points and nine rebounds. Edwards, who entered the game eighth nationally in 3-point field goal percentage, connected on four of her five 3-point attempts.
Freshman sensation Alex Johnson also added to her impressive rookie resume with 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field. She also dished out a season-high four assists. Ty Petty had 13 points and six assists, and Gabby Lyon rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Lyon turned in the most complete game of her career as she also added five assists, two steals and limited one of FAU's top guards, Kat Wright, to three points on 1-for-8 shooting.
Rebecca Reuter was solid with nine points and five rebounds and Abbey Sissom added eight points.
As good as the guard play was, Middle Tennessee's forwards were the big story. Johnson, Lyon, Reuter and TiAnna Porter combined for 39 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. They also shot a combined 15-for-21 for 71.4 percent. The Blue Raiders scored 38 points in the paint.
"Our posts were the difference in the game," Insell said. "They gave us a strong presence inside and did a great job getting open and finishing shots. I thought Gabby Lyon was the MVP of the game. She had her best all-around game but the defensive job she did on (Wright) was incredible."
Middle Tennessee took control with a sizzling shooting performance in the first half. The Blue Raiders opened by shooting an impressive 67 percent (12-for-18) in the first quarter and followed that by shooting 60 percent (6-for-10) in the second quarter. The Blue Raiders shot 64 percent (18-for-28) in the first half as they staked claim to a 45-28 halftime lead.
Johnson put on a clinic in the first half. She was 6-for-6 from the field and led all scorers with 13 points in the first half. Petty was also instrumental in the opening half with 11 points and five assists.
Everyone who played did something promising.
FAU cut the lead to seven, 28-21, midway through the second quarter but Sissom came through with three straight field goals. Her second 3-pointer in a four-minute span pushed the lead to 41-23 as the Blue Raiders regained their poise as the half approached.
Middle Tennessee will look to keep its winning streak alive when it faces FIU in Miami Saturday.
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
