Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, November 27
Daytona Beach, Fla.
11 AM
Middle Tennessee
5-1
62
vs
52
Illinois
3-3
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tenn.
12
14
22
14
62
Illinois
6
12
13
21
52
Team Stats
MIDDLE T
ILLINOIS
FG%
.328
.404
3FG%
.195
.231
FT%
1.000
.333
RB
40
42
TO
12
19
STL
9
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Whitson posts double-double as Lady Raiders top Illinois
11/27/2021 1:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MT scores 62-52 win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Middle Tennessee put together a strong all-around game to score a 62-52 win against Illinois in its second game of the Daytona Beach Invitational here Saturday.
The Lady Raiders (5-1) rebounded from their first loss of the season, a tough overtime setback against Marquette, with strong defense, good work on the boards and efficient shooting.
Courtney Whitson led the way with her fourth career double-double, pouring in 17 points and ripping down 10 rebounds. It was another balanced scoring game for Middle Tennessee as five players scored seven or more points.
Dor Saar tallied 10 points, pulled five rebounds, and dished out five assists. Alexis Whittington continued to be a do-it-all performer for Middle Tennessee with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Freshmen Jalynn Gregory and Courtney Blakely also came up huge. Gregory finished with seven points, while Blakely provided a huge spark off the bench with seven points, four assists and two steals. Jada Gregory was also instrumental with solid inside play, collecting five rebounds and providing solid interior defense.
"This was a good team win against a good, athletic and physical Illinois team," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "We had two solid games here in Daytona and playing against this type of competition is why we come to these type of holiday tournaments. We are in the midst of a very tough non-conference schedule and our young ladies are holding their own. I'm really proud of the effort and the manner in which we responded today."
Middle Tennessee owned a double-digit lead in the third quarter but Illinois (3-2) would make a run and cut the Lady Raider lead to 26-22 with 6:52 remaining in the third quarter, but that's when things got technical – literally.
Illinois had possession looking to make it a one-score game following a Lady Raider foul on Grannum; however, an Illini player was assessed a technical foul for pushing Grannum.
Saar knocked down both technical free throws and, one possession later, Grannum had an offensive rebound and putback to ignite what would become a 10-0 run. One minute after the first technical, another was called on Illinois. Saar once again sank both free throws and Whitson followed with a driving layup.
By the time the dust had settled, Middle Tennessee had closed the quarter on a 22-9 run to grab a 48-31 lead and essentially put the game out of reach entering the final stanza.
"I thought our young ladies showed great composure during that stretch of the third quarter," Insell said. "It was a hard-played game, and it was physical. Our players hung in there and hit some big-time shots to take control of the game after Illinois had made a run."
The Lady Raiders started slowly from beyond the arc, misfiring on their first eight attempts, but when they found their stroke, they separated from the Illini.
Leading 14-10 midway through the second quarter, Whittington and Whitson combined for four straight Middle Tennessee 3-pointers, including three in succession during a 9-0 run. Whittington started the barrage with a trey from the left wing. Jada Grannum followed with a steal on the defensive end, pushed the ball ahead to Courtney Blakely who found Whitson in transition for a long 3-pointer.
One possession later, Whitson connected from the baseline as Middle Tennessee drained its third straight 3-pointer to complete a 9-0 run and give the Lady Raiders a 23-10 lead.
Whitson almost had a double-double by halftime with nine points and eight rebounds.
Whittington accounted for the fourth straight 3-pointer when she beat the shot clock with 53 seconds remaining and Middle Tennessee carried a 26-18 lead into the half.
Middle Tennessee will return to action when it plays host to Mercer Friday.
The Lady Raiders (5-1) rebounded from their first loss of the season, a tough overtime setback against Marquette, with strong defense, good work on the boards and efficient shooting.
Courtney Whitson led the way with her fourth career double-double, pouring in 17 points and ripping down 10 rebounds. It was another balanced scoring game for Middle Tennessee as five players scored seven or more points.
Dor Saar tallied 10 points, pulled five rebounds, and dished out five assists. Alexis Whittington continued to be a do-it-all performer for Middle Tennessee with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Freshmen Jalynn Gregory and Courtney Blakely also came up huge. Gregory finished with seven points, while Blakely provided a huge spark off the bench with seven points, four assists and two steals. Jada Gregory was also instrumental with solid inside play, collecting five rebounds and providing solid interior defense.
"This was a good team win against a good, athletic and physical Illinois team," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "We had two solid games here in Daytona and playing against this type of competition is why we come to these type of holiday tournaments. We are in the midst of a very tough non-conference schedule and our young ladies are holding their own. I'm really proud of the effort and the manner in which we responded today."
Middle Tennessee owned a double-digit lead in the third quarter but Illinois (3-2) would make a run and cut the Lady Raider lead to 26-22 with 6:52 remaining in the third quarter, but that's when things got technical – literally.
Illinois had possession looking to make it a one-score game following a Lady Raider foul on Grannum; however, an Illini player was assessed a technical foul for pushing Grannum.
Saar knocked down both technical free throws and, one possession later, Grannum had an offensive rebound and putback to ignite what would become a 10-0 run. One minute after the first technical, another was called on Illinois. Saar once again sank both free throws and Whitson followed with a driving layup.
By the time the dust had settled, Middle Tennessee had closed the quarter on a 22-9 run to grab a 48-31 lead and essentially put the game out of reach entering the final stanza.
"I thought our young ladies showed great composure during that stretch of the third quarter," Insell said. "It was a hard-played game, and it was physical. Our players hung in there and hit some big-time shots to take control of the game after Illinois had made a run."
The Lady Raiders started slowly from beyond the arc, misfiring on their first eight attempts, but when they found their stroke, they separated from the Illini.
Leading 14-10 midway through the second quarter, Whittington and Whitson combined for four straight Middle Tennessee 3-pointers, including three in succession during a 9-0 run. Whittington started the barrage with a trey from the left wing. Jada Grannum followed with a steal on the defensive end, pushed the ball ahead to Courtney Blakely who found Whitson in transition for a long 3-pointer.
One possession later, Whitson connected from the baseline as Middle Tennessee drained its third straight 3-pointer to complete a 9-0 run and give the Lady Raiders a 23-10 lead.
Whitson almost had a double-double by halftime with nine points and eight rebounds.
Whittington accounted for the fourth straight 3-pointer when she beat the shot clock with 53 seconds remaining and Middle Tennessee carried a 26-18 lead into the half.
Middle Tennessee will return to action when it plays host to Mercer Friday.
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
