Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Sunday, December 6
Murfreesboro, TN
5:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
-01,00 CUSA
64
vs
70
Belmont
1-1,0-0OVC
1
2
3
4
F
Belmont
20
22
15
13
70
Middle Tennessee
25
10
10
19
64
Lady Raiders fall in long-awaited opener
12/6/2020 8:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It took longer than expected to finally happen, but Middle Tennessee finally opened its 2020-21 season Sunday.
Belmont (1-1) traveled to the Murphy Center, and the Lady Raiders (0-1) couldn't get enough shots to fall against a tough Bruins defense, falling 70-64.
"We didn't play well and we aren't in good shape," Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Insell said. "We knew coming in we weren't going to be in as good of shape as we needed to be … but we just left too much at the free-throw line."
The game was originally scheduled to be played Dec. 3, and it was supposed to be MT's third contest of the season.
However, as has been the case all over the country and world the last few months, COVID-19 threw a wrench into Middle Tennessee's plans the last couple of weeks, leading to the postponement of its first two games against Louisville and Vanderbilt.
"We were just happy to be able to play," Insell said. "That we got to play was a positive, and that nobody is hurt. … We have to thank Chris [Massaro] and Dr. [Sidney] McPhee for giving us the chance to play."
The Lady Raiders fell victim to some heavy legs, and it showed in their shooting numbers.
They held their own in the first quarter, shooting 8 of 15 from the field and taking a 25-20 lead into the first break.
Things got tough from there offensively, though. Over the last three quarters, MT made only eight of its 38 field goal attempts, finishing 18 for 53 (34%) and 6 for 23 from 3-point range (23%).
"A part of that is getting in shape," redshirt junior Anastasia Hayes said. "This is our first game, so we can grow from here. I feel like we'll be alright if we can keep playing hard and getting in shape. That's what we need to continue to work on."
Belmont took advantage of the Lady Raiders' offensive struggles and snatched the lead in the second quarter, then grew it to as many as 12 points in the second half.
Middle Tennessee didn't go quietly, cutting the Bruins' lead down to as little as three with 1:27 to go in the fourth quarter thanks to a 6-0 scoring run, but a couple of missed free throws down the stretch were daggers.
Insell was happy with the way his girls got to the free-throw line with regularity, but he wasn't thrilled with how his bunch shot from the charity stripe. They only made 22 of their 44 attempts, a tough pill to swallow in a six-point loss.
"I think we all played a part in it," junior Alexis Whittington said. "Some of us have been out for a couple of weeks, so our legs weren't under us. I feel like that was the main part of it. When we get in a little better shape, I think it'll help us."
Hayes led the way for MT with 25 points on 8-of-18 shooting, adding four rebounds and four steals. Whittington added 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals, and sophomore Courtney Whitson had seven points and 11 rebounds.
The Lady Raiders will quickly get back to work with another home game Wednesday against Tulane. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Gallery: (12-6-2020) @MT_WBB vs Belmont
Belmont (1-1) traveled to the Murphy Center, and the Lady Raiders (0-1) couldn't get enough shots to fall against a tough Bruins defense, falling 70-64.
"We didn't play well and we aren't in good shape," Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Insell said. "We knew coming in we weren't going to be in as good of shape as we needed to be … but we just left too much at the free-throw line."
The game was originally scheduled to be played Dec. 3, and it was supposed to be MT's third contest of the season.
However, as has been the case all over the country and world the last few months, COVID-19 threw a wrench into Middle Tennessee's plans the last couple of weeks, leading to the postponement of its first two games against Louisville and Vanderbilt.
"We were just happy to be able to play," Insell said. "That we got to play was a positive, and that nobody is hurt. … We have to thank Chris [Massaro] and Dr. [Sidney] McPhee for giving us the chance to play."
The Lady Raiders fell victim to some heavy legs, and it showed in their shooting numbers.
They held their own in the first quarter, shooting 8 of 15 from the field and taking a 25-20 lead into the first break.
Things got tough from there offensively, though. Over the last three quarters, MT made only eight of its 38 field goal attempts, finishing 18 for 53 (34%) and 6 for 23 from 3-point range (23%).
"A part of that is getting in shape," redshirt junior Anastasia Hayes said. "This is our first game, so we can grow from here. I feel like we'll be alright if we can keep playing hard and getting in shape. That's what we need to continue to work on."
Belmont took advantage of the Lady Raiders' offensive struggles and snatched the lead in the second quarter, then grew it to as many as 12 points in the second half.
Middle Tennessee didn't go quietly, cutting the Bruins' lead down to as little as three with 1:27 to go in the fourth quarter thanks to a 6-0 scoring run, but a couple of missed free throws down the stretch were daggers.
Insell was happy with the way his girls got to the free-throw line with regularity, but he wasn't thrilled with how his bunch shot from the charity stripe. They only made 22 of their 44 attempts, a tough pill to swallow in a six-point loss.
"I think we all played a part in it," junior Alexis Whittington said. "Some of us have been out for a couple of weeks, so our legs weren't under us. I feel like that was the main part of it. When we get in a little better shape, I think it'll help us."
Hayes led the way for MT with 25 points on 8-of-18 shooting, adding four rebounds and four steals. Whittington added 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals, and sophomore Courtney Whitson had seven points and 11 rebounds.
The Lady Raiders will quickly get back to work with another home game Wednesday against Tulane. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Team Stats
BEL
MT
FG%
.443
.340
3FG%
.429
.261
FT%
.700
.500
RB
49
33
TO
18
9
STL
5
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
8
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
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