Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, January 9
Miami, FL
1:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
-63,40 CUSA
99
at
89
FIU
-55,22 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tenn.
13
29
21
36
99
FIU
13
17
32
27
89
Photo by: FIU Athletics
Streaking Lady Raiders use 3-point barrage for win
1/9/2021 4:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MT connects for 16 treys in 99-89 victory
MIAMI – Middle Tennessee is one of the nation's most prolific 3-point shooting teams and the Lady Raiders put on a long-range demonstration on their way to a 99-89 win to complete the weekend sweep at FIU here Saturday.
The Lady Raiders (6-3, 4-0) won their sixth straight overall and eighth straight Conference USA game dating back to last season behind a barrage of 16 treys, including seven in the decisive fourth quarter after FIU (5-5, 2-2) had rallied to take the lead late in the third frame.
Middle Tennessee shot 45.7 percent (16-of-35) beyond the arc for the game. It was 7-of-10 in the fourth quarter.
Courtney Whitson led the avalanche of 3-point bombs with a perfect 5-for-5 showing in the fourth quarter. Aislynn Hayes was 4-for-8 from 3-point range in the second half.
Aislynn Hayes led Middle Tennessee with a career-high 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, adding five assists and five rebounds. Anastasia Hayes poured in 28 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 12-of-16 from the free-throw line, to go with five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
It was a career day for Whitson with a double-double that featured a career-best 20 points and 15 rebounds. Whitson also poured in six 3-pointers, also a career high. Alexis Whittington also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Raiders scored a season high 99 points.
"I'm really proud of our team," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "It was two tough battles here against FIU and our young ladies rose to the occasion. We had contributions from so many different players across the board and that is how you win tough road games. This is going to be a tough place for conference teams to get wins so these two are huge for us."
FIU had rallied from a 15-point deficit in the first half to take its first lead 62-61 late in the third quarter. The Lady Raiders led 63-62 entering the fourth quarter. Leading 66-64, Middle Tennessee put together a 14-0 run to break the game open.
The long ball was the difference.
Middle Tennessee hit six consecutive 3-pointers, highlighted by four in succession from Whitson, to break the game open. Whitson's fourth straight trey pushed the lead to 85-68 with 5:31 remaining.
"Courtney Whitson is a jewel," Insell said. "She's an outstanding shooter. Courtney gets in the gym and works on her shot with great consistency and it paid off for her today. Aislynn was just outstanding today with 29 points and great all-around play. We did not even know if (Anastasia) was going to be able to play. She was feeling sick this morning, but she made the decision to go and she was big time. Alexis had another strong game, and I thought Amanda gave us a big lift coming off the bench. They all were important for us to get this win."
The trio of Anastasia Hayes, Aislynn Hayes and Courtney Whitson was exceptional in the second half when they combined for 52 points on 14-of-24 shooting (58 percent), including 7-of-11 (64 percent) from 3-point range.
Anastasia Hayes scored 19 of her 28 points in the second half, going 11-of-14 at the charity stripe, Courtney Whitson poured in 17 of her 20 in the second half, shooting 6-of-8 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, along with 11 rebounds. Aislynn Hayes netted 16 in the final two quarters on 4-of-8 shooting from the field, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, adding three assists.
The Lady Raiders will look to keep their winning streak alive when they play host to Southern Miss next weekend.
The Lady Raiders (6-3, 4-0) won their sixth straight overall and eighth straight Conference USA game dating back to last season behind a barrage of 16 treys, including seven in the decisive fourth quarter after FIU (5-5, 2-2) had rallied to take the lead late in the third frame.
Middle Tennessee shot 45.7 percent (16-of-35) beyond the arc for the game. It was 7-of-10 in the fourth quarter.
Courtney Whitson led the avalanche of 3-point bombs with a perfect 5-for-5 showing in the fourth quarter. Aislynn Hayes was 4-for-8 from 3-point range in the second half.
Aislynn Hayes led Middle Tennessee with a career-high 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, adding five assists and five rebounds. Anastasia Hayes poured in 28 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 12-of-16 from the free-throw line, to go with five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
It was a career day for Whitson with a double-double that featured a career-best 20 points and 15 rebounds. Whitson also poured in six 3-pointers, also a career high. Alexis Whittington also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Raiders scored a season high 99 points.
"I'm really proud of our team," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "It was two tough battles here against FIU and our young ladies rose to the occasion. We had contributions from so many different players across the board and that is how you win tough road games. This is going to be a tough place for conference teams to get wins so these two are huge for us."
FIU had rallied from a 15-point deficit in the first half to take its first lead 62-61 late in the third quarter. The Lady Raiders led 63-62 entering the fourth quarter. Leading 66-64, Middle Tennessee put together a 14-0 run to break the game open.
The long ball was the difference.
Middle Tennessee hit six consecutive 3-pointers, highlighted by four in succession from Whitson, to break the game open. Whitson's fourth straight trey pushed the lead to 85-68 with 5:31 remaining.
"Courtney Whitson is a jewel," Insell said. "She's an outstanding shooter. Courtney gets in the gym and works on her shot with great consistency and it paid off for her today. Aislynn was just outstanding today with 29 points and great all-around play. We did not even know if (Anastasia) was going to be able to play. She was feeling sick this morning, but she made the decision to go and she was big time. Alexis had another strong game, and I thought Amanda gave us a big lift coming off the bench. They all were important for us to get this win."
The trio of Anastasia Hayes, Aislynn Hayes and Courtney Whitson was exceptional in the second half when they combined for 52 points on 14-of-24 shooting (58 percent), including 7-of-11 (64 percent) from 3-point range.
Anastasia Hayes scored 19 of her 28 points in the second half, going 11-of-14 at the charity stripe, Courtney Whitson poured in 17 of her 20 in the second half, shooting 6-of-8 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, along with 11 rebounds. Aislynn Hayes netted 16 in the final two quarters on 4-of-8 shooting from the field, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, adding three assists.
The Lady Raiders will look to keep their winning streak alive when they play host to Southern Miss next weekend.
Team Stats
MTSU
FIU
FG%
.470
.447
3FG%
.457
.318
FT%
.677
.778
RB
42
41
TO
17
15
STL
5
10
Game Leaders
Pts
29
FGM
9
3FGM
4
FTM
7
Pts
28
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
12
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
6
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
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