Sister act: Hayes sisters combine for 28 points in win

Sunday, October 27

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Bethel University (Tenn.)

Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications

Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications

Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications

10/27/2019 4:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball

MT vs Bethel (PDF)Photo Gallery

Lady Raiders top Belmont 64-53 in exhibition action

By: @MTAthletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Although the result didn't count in the record book, Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Insell said there are plenty of positives and negatives to take from the Lady Raiders' 64-53 exhibition win against Bethel in front of 2,139 at Murphy Center Sunday.

Four players led Middle Tennessee's balanced scoring attack, paced by sisters Anastasia Hayes and Aislynn Hayes, both newcomers, with 14 points each. The duo combined for seven assists, five steals and committed just two turnovers in a combined 51 minutes of action.

Freshman Courtney Whitson debuted in strong fashion as she poured in 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the squad and notch a double-double. Sophomore Alexis Whittington rounded out the double-figure scoring with 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

"This was an exhibition game and we have to remember that," Insell said. "These results don't count but it was good to get on the court and see our young ladies in action. There were some things that pleased me, but I also was not happy overall with our post play. I don't feel as though we executed well enough.

"Bethel brought a good team in here and they have some outstanding shooters, but we will not get away with some things against a bigger, more patient team as we did today. We have a lot to go back to practice and work on this week."

Middle Tennessee shot 33.3 percent from the field overall but was actually better from beyond the 3-point arc where the Lady Raiders shot 40 percent, connecting on 6-of-15 attempts. Whittington led the way with three treys and Whitson knocked down a pair.

Bethel did not make it easy for the Lady Raiders, who led 38-27 at the intermission. The Lady Wildcats stormed out of the locker room after the half and used a 12-0 run to take a 39-38 lead, but Middle Tennessee answered with an impressive 10-0 lead of its own to take control of the game in the final quarter.

Aislynn Hayes was strong all-around with a complete game effort that not only featured the 14 points, but also included four steals, three assists and no turnovers. Anastasia Hayes also had a complete effort with 14 points, four assists, one steal and four rebounds. The tandem also combined to draw 13 fouls in the contest.

Middle Tennessee will return to action when it plays host to Martin Methodist in its second exhibition game Friday at 6:30 p.m.