Non-Conference Slate Concludes With Houston

Wednesday, December 14

Murfreesboro, TN

6 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

Houston

12/13/2022 5:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Game Notes

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— Winners of its past four games, the Middle Tennessee women's basketball game wraps up its 2022-23 non-conference slate Wednesday vs. Houston. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the Murphy Center.

Fans can purchase tickets at goblueraiders.com/tickets. The game will air on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Network.

LAST TIME OUT

Jalynn Gregory hit seven 3-pointers as Middle Tennessee women's basketball rolled past Memphis 69-53 Saturday afternoon to win its fourth straight game.

The Lady Raiders (6-2) made their first five field goal attempts to jump out to an 11-4 lead in the first three minutes of action vs. Memphis (5-5).

Leading 21-13, MTSU scored 18 unanswered points to start the second frame and didn't allow a Tiger basket until the 1:27 mark. Overall, Middle Tennessee outscored Memphis 21-4 in the second quarter.

Coming out of the break with a 42-17 lead, Memphis heated up from the floor and outscored the Lady Raiders 15-6 in the first seven minutes. Memphis came as close as 13 with 58 seconds left in the third quarter, but four Jalynn Gregory threes in the final period helped the Lady Raiders secure the double-digit win. Gregory scored 13 of Middle Tennessee's 18 points in the fourth quarter.

The sophomore out of Lafayette, Tenn., led all scorers with a season-high 22 points in addition to three rebounds and two assists. Savannah Wheeler nearly recorded a double-double after finishing with 14 points, nine boards and six assists. Kseniya Malashka scored 13 points, brought down five rebounds and blocked two shots.

ON THE COURT

Stat Leaders:
Points - Savannah Wheeler (17.4 PPG)
Rebounds - Courtney Whitson (8.1 RPG)
Assists - Savannah Wheeler (4.1 APG)
Steals - Jalynn Gregory (2.3 SPG)

LADY RAIDER NOTES

Courtney Whitson is 10 points away from 1,000 career points. The junior forward would fittingly be the 33rd member of the Lady Raider 1,000-point club. The junior from Kingsport, Tenn. moved into 12th place on the program's all-time rebounding list Saturday with 677 career boards. Whitson passed Alysha Clark (671 rebounds) and is 10 away from passing Jamie Thomatis (686 rebounds).
Whitson entered the top 10 in the program's career 3-pointers list last week with 180 career treys.
Middle Tennessee received votes in both the AP and Coaches Poll after defeating then-No. 18 Louisville 67-49. The Lady Raiders have continually risen up in the NET rankings. As of Dec. 10, 2022, MTSU ranks 18th, four spots up from its previous spot at 22. The Lady Raiders are the only Conference USA school and the lone Tennessee program in the top 25.
Middle Tennessee leads all of Conference USA and ranks 27th in the nation with a 20.1 scoring margin. In their six wins, the Lady Raiders are averaging 27.8 point differential , including a 52-point stomping of Southern Illinois Nov. 12.

CHECKING IN ON THE COUGARS

Houston has lost eight of its first 10 games, including a pair of teams who received votes in the AP poll in Kansas State and Rice. The battle between the two Houston schools Dec. 10 took two overtimes to decide as Rice came out on top 91-88.
Despite the slow start, Houston leads the AAC and ranks in the top 10 in the country in offensive rebounds per game (18.2) and steals per game (14.9). Additionally, Houston's 25.4 turnovers forced per game is sixth in the nation.
The Cougars are led by scoring duo Laila Blair (14.6 points per game) and Tiara Young (13.4). Blair leads the team in assists (25). Tatyana Hill is Houston's biggest threat on the glass, averaging 8.1 rebounds per game, including 42 offensive rebounds.
Houston was picked second in the AAC women's basketball preseason poll and received two first place votes.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Wednesday will be a full night of promotions. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be on the concourse for photos starting from when doors open until the end of the third quarter. Letters to Santa and cookie decorating stations will be set up in the Family Fun Zone behind section K.
At halftime, the annual Teddy Bear Toss will take place, benefiting Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Fans are encouraged to bring new/gently used stuffed animals to throw on the court during halftime.
The first 250 fans will receive a special Murphy Center 50th anniversary mug and Blue Raider basketball ornaments.
Fans who purchased a walk-up ticket for the Lady Raider game vs. Louisville can bring it back to Wednesday's game vs. Houston and get free admission.