Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Thursday, February 8
Boca Raton, FL
6 PM
Middle Tennessee
14-9, 6-4CUSA
69
at
65
Florida Atlantic
10-10 4-5CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tennessee
14
19
12
24
69
FAU
8
12
21
24
65
Team Stats
MT
FAU
FG%
.451
.382
3FG%
.462
.360
FT%
.733
.875
RB
32
34
TO
14
11
STL
8
4
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
Lady Raiders hold off Florida Atlantic, 69-65
2/8/2018 8:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Four players reach double figures scoring
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Middle Tennessee received contributions throughout its lineup to continue its dominance of Florida Atlantic in a 69-65 win here Thursday.
The Lady Raiders (14-9, 6-4) won their 16th straight against Florida Atlantic and improved to 22-1 against the Owls all-time. Middle Tennessee also remained tied for fourth in the C-USA standings with six conference games remaining. The top four teams in the standings receive a first-round bye in the C-USA Championships.
Although the contributors were many in the win at Florida Atlantic, the quartet of Abbey Sissom, Jess Louro, Gabby Lyon and Alex Johnson were paramount with all four scoring in double figures.
Sissom led the Lady Raiders with 16 points on four 3-pointers and four assists. Louro was strong with 15 points on four 3-pointers and pulled eight rebounds to go with three assists. Senior Gabby Lyon came up large in the fourth quarter. Lyon finished with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field to equal her career high for field goals made. The 14 points were one shy of her career high. Johnson tallied another double-digit game with 10 points and also added five rebounds.
"This was a big win for us on the road," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "I was really pleased overall with our execution. We had several people really step up and play. Our upper classmen really stepped up and led us in this game."
Although Middle Tennessee escaped with the win, it was not easy.
The Lady Raiders led 33-20 at the half and pushed the lead to as many as 16, 41-25, on Sissom's 3-pointer with 7:31 remaining in the third quarter. However, Florida Atlantic was not finished. The Owls (10-10, 3-5) closed the quarter on a 7-0 run and by the time the dust had settled, Florida Atlantic had closed to within 45-41 and had momentum.
Sissom started the fourth quarter with a long-range 3-pointer to push the advantage to 48-41 with 8:55 remaining. That's when Lyon took over inside.
The senior forward scored three straight Lady Raider baskets in a 1:20 span to help Middle Tennessee regain control. Her third field goal during that stretch put the Lady Raiders on top 54-46 with 5:20 remaining.
After Florida Atlantic answered with a basket, Louro connected with a pressure-packed 3-pointer – her fourth of the game – to put the Lady Raiders on top 57-48 with five minutes remaining. The Owls would get as close as four down the stretch.
Florida Atlantic closed to four two times in the final minute, but Sissom was solid at the free-throw line. She was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final 37 seconds to seal the victory.
Middle Tennessee will look to sweep the Florida swing when it plays FIU in Miami Saturday at 1 PM.
The Lady Raiders (14-9, 6-4) won their 16th straight against Florida Atlantic and improved to 22-1 against the Owls all-time. Middle Tennessee also remained tied for fourth in the C-USA standings with six conference games remaining. The top four teams in the standings receive a first-round bye in the C-USA Championships.
Although the contributors were many in the win at Florida Atlantic, the quartet of Abbey Sissom, Jess Louro, Gabby Lyon and Alex Johnson were paramount with all four scoring in double figures.
Sissom led the Lady Raiders with 16 points on four 3-pointers and four assists. Louro was strong with 15 points on four 3-pointers and pulled eight rebounds to go with three assists. Senior Gabby Lyon came up large in the fourth quarter. Lyon finished with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field to equal her career high for field goals made. The 14 points were one shy of her career high. Johnson tallied another double-digit game with 10 points and also added five rebounds.
"This was a big win for us on the road," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "I was really pleased overall with our execution. We had several people really step up and play. Our upper classmen really stepped up and led us in this game."
Although Middle Tennessee escaped with the win, it was not easy.
The Lady Raiders led 33-20 at the half and pushed the lead to as many as 16, 41-25, on Sissom's 3-pointer with 7:31 remaining in the third quarter. However, Florida Atlantic was not finished. The Owls (10-10, 3-5) closed the quarter on a 7-0 run and by the time the dust had settled, Florida Atlantic had closed to within 45-41 and had momentum.
Sissom started the fourth quarter with a long-range 3-pointer to push the advantage to 48-41 with 8:55 remaining. That's when Lyon took over inside.
The senior forward scored three straight Lady Raider baskets in a 1:20 span to help Middle Tennessee regain control. Her third field goal during that stretch put the Lady Raiders on top 54-46 with 5:20 remaining.
After Florida Atlantic answered with a basket, Louro connected with a pressure-packed 3-pointer – her fourth of the game – to put the Lady Raiders on top 57-48 with five minutes remaining. The Owls would get as close as four down the stretch.
Florida Atlantic closed to four two times in the final minute, but Sissom was solid at the free-throw line. She was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final 37 seconds to seal the victory.
Middle Tennessee will look to sweep the Florida swing when it plays FIU in Miami Saturday at 1 PM.
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