Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Friday, November 12
Richmond, Va.
5:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
-20,00 CUSA
54
at
46
VCU
0-1,0-0Atlantic 10
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tenn.
14
19
9
12
54
VCU
4
7
13
22
46
Team Stats
MTSU
VCU
FG%
.322
.294
3FG%
.261
.188
FT%
.833
.591
RB
36
43
TO
8
14
STL
8
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Defense highlights Lady Raider win at VCU
11/12/2021 7:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MT improves to 2-0 with 54-46 road win
RICHMOND, Va. – Defense travels.
That was the mantra throughout Thursday's practice and Friday's shoot-around in preparation for Middle Tennessee's game against VCU Friday night.
Indeed, it did.
Middle Tennessee's smothering defense was the difference as the Lady Raiders rolled to a 54-46 win in a matchup of two NCAA Tournament teams from last season.
The defending Atlantic-10 champions couldn't solve a Middle Tennessee defense that allowed 11 first-half points and limited the Rams (0-1) to 3-of-21 shooting from the field in the opening half.
"This team gets after it on the defensive end. They take great pride in their defense and that keyed a great start for us tonight," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "VCU is a very good basketball team. We got the start we needed against a quality team on their home floor."
Dor Saar led a balanced Lady Raider attack with 18 points and six assists. Jalynn Gregory came up big with 11 points and six rebounds and Courtney Whitson tallied 11 points. Alexis Whittington was a stat sheet stuffer with a double-double, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds, also adding four steals and dishing two assists.
"This was a great team win with several players making great contributions," Insell said. "We had to battle in the second half and hold on for the win, but I thought we made winning plays down the stretch."
Middle Tennessee led by as many as 25 in the third quarter, but VCU battled back in the fourth quarter when it got as close as eight; however, key baskets from Gregory, Whitson and Whittington were huge. Saar knocked down five-of-six free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.
The tone was set early. Middle Tennessee led 6-4 with 5:40 remaining in the first half. The Lady Raiders wouldn't allow a point the remainder of the half while using an 8-0 run to claim a 14-4 advantage after one frame. Gregory's hot hand keyed the fast start offensively as she scored seven first-quarter points.
Middle Tennessee allowed just four first-quarter points, which are the fewest surrendered in the first quarter since NCAA Women's Basketball switched to quarters prior to the 2015-16 season. The previous first-quarter low was five points against East Carolina in Tuesday's opener. The Lady Raiders allowed just three first-half field goals against VCU on the way to a 33-11 halftime lead.
The Lady Raiders will return to the hardwood when it plays host to Vanderbilt Monday at 6:30 p.m.
That was the mantra throughout Thursday's practice and Friday's shoot-around in preparation for Middle Tennessee's game against VCU Friday night.
Indeed, it did.
Middle Tennessee's smothering defense was the difference as the Lady Raiders rolled to a 54-46 win in a matchup of two NCAA Tournament teams from last season.
The defending Atlantic-10 champions couldn't solve a Middle Tennessee defense that allowed 11 first-half points and limited the Rams (0-1) to 3-of-21 shooting from the field in the opening half.
"This team gets after it on the defensive end. They take great pride in their defense and that keyed a great start for us tonight," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "VCU is a very good basketball team. We got the start we needed against a quality team on their home floor."
Dor Saar led a balanced Lady Raider attack with 18 points and six assists. Jalynn Gregory came up big with 11 points and six rebounds and Courtney Whitson tallied 11 points. Alexis Whittington was a stat sheet stuffer with a double-double, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds, also adding four steals and dishing two assists.
"This was a great team win with several players making great contributions," Insell said. "We had to battle in the second half and hold on for the win, but I thought we made winning plays down the stretch."
Middle Tennessee led by as many as 25 in the third quarter, but VCU battled back in the fourth quarter when it got as close as eight; however, key baskets from Gregory, Whitson and Whittington were huge. Saar knocked down five-of-six free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.
The tone was set early. Middle Tennessee led 6-4 with 5:40 remaining in the first half. The Lady Raiders wouldn't allow a point the remainder of the half while using an 8-0 run to claim a 14-4 advantage after one frame. Gregory's hot hand keyed the fast start offensively as she scored seven first-quarter points.
Middle Tennessee allowed just four first-quarter points, which are the fewest surrendered in the first quarter since NCAA Women's Basketball switched to quarters prior to the 2015-16 season. The previous first-quarter low was five points against East Carolina in Tuesday's opener. The Lady Raiders allowed just three first-half field goals against VCU on the way to a 33-11 halftime lead.
The Lady Raiders will return to the hardwood when it plays host to Vanderbilt Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Rick Insell Conference USA Hall of Fame Announcement
Wednesday, July 09
2025 Blue Raider Blitz Media Panel
Thursday, July 03
MTSU Women's Basketball Coach Rick Insell interview at 2025 Blue Raider Blitz
Monday, June 30
