Lady Raiders breeze past Lipscomb

Sunday, December 20

Murfreesboro, TN

2:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

-23,00 CUSA

Lipscomb

3-2,0-0ASUN

Lipscomb

Middle Tennessee

Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications

12/20/2020 4:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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Hayes pours in 35 in victory

By: JOSH VARDAMAN

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee went into Sunday 12-0 all-time against in-state foe Lipscomb, and Anastasia Hayes made sure the Lady Raiders stayed perfect.

The junior Murfreesboro native couldn't be stopped by the Bisons (3-2). She scored 35 points, two off her career high, on 12-of-21 shooting to lead MT (2-3) to an 84-64 win, also adding eight rebounds.

"I just let the game come to me," Hayes said. "They're a pretty rough team, so I just tried to not let them get in my head and let the game come to me slowly and take my time."

Hayes came out aggressive from the opening tip, scoring 21 points in the first half as the Lady Raiders opened up as much as a 14-point lead.

She went into the day fifth in the country and leading Conference USA averaging 27.2 points per game, and she's scored at least 24 points in nine straight games dating back to last season.

"When she comes in and has a smile on her face, it's almost over with," MT head coach Rick Insell said. "She basically just took the game under control the whole way through. … I'm really proud of how she played and the way she handled our basketball team. She's a tremendous guard and has a great future ahead of her."

Middle Tennessee went into the half up 38-29, and it quickly built the advantage back to double digits in the third quarter.

The Lady Raiders did a lot of damage down low, winning the rebounding battle 45-44, including 11 offensive boards, and outscoring Lipscomb 34-22 in the paint. They also did a great job of taking care of the ball with only five turnovers.

"We just stayed focused and stayed with our keys," Hayes said. "We're on the right track. I feel like we're in a great mood for our conference opener."

Senior Deja Cage exploded in the second half for 15 of her 22 total points. She hit 8-of-17 shots, including four 3-pointers, and added six rebounds and four assists.

It was the second game in a row Cage scored at least 22 points. She had 24 in MT's win over Troy.

"We know she's a great shooter; she shows it in practice," junior Alexis Whittington said. "We tell her all the time to just keep shooting, because we have confidence in her. I think that's helped her a lot and gives her confidence to just let it fly."

Sophomore Courtney Whitson added 11 points for the Lady Raiders, including eight in the second half. Whittington added 11 points and a team-high 11 rebounds in the second double-double of her career. She's been in double-figure scoring in every game this season.

Middle Tennessee will ride its momentum from back-to-back wins into Conference USA play. Florida Atlantic will travel to Murfreesboro Jan. 1 and 2 to kick off league action.

"They get some days off, and they need them. We'll get ready to come back in and get into conference," Insell said. "If they come back in ready to go to work, I think we'll be in great shape. … We have to take what we got and go with it."