Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Thursday, January 26
Murfreesboro, TN
6 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
-172,100 CUSA
63
vs
48
Florida Atlantic
-118,46 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Fla. Atlantic
7
7
23
11
48
Middle Tenn.
22
16
11
14
63
Team Stats
FAU
MTSU
FG%
.388
.370
3FG%
.273
.130
FT%
.583
.833
RB
38
31
TO
23
10
STL
6
14
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
16
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
8
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Matt Posey/MT Athletic Communications
Dominant First Half Defense propels No. 23 Lady Raiders over FAU
1/26/2023 9:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Owls were held to seven points in each of the first two quarters.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — No. 23 Middle Tennessee women's basketball held Florida Atlantic to just 14 points in the first half, suffocating the Owls on defense en route to a 63-48 win on Thursday night at the Murphy Center.
The Lady Raiders (17-2, 10-0 C-USA) led by as many as 27 points in the second quarter after turning the Owls (11-8, 4-6) over 13 times in the first half, 10 times on MTSU steals, resulting in 14 points off of FAU turnovers. The Lady Raiders took advantage of a plethora of opportunities at the free throw line in the game's first 20 minutes, knocking down all 11 of their first half free throw attempts, including an 8-for-8 clip from Savannah Wheeler.
A third quarter run from the Owls threatened to make things a game late, but MTSU would ultimately lead wire-to-wire. Kseniya Malashka's 12 fourth quarter points led a bounce-back final frame.
Malashka, who drew eight of FAU's 20 fouls on Thursday, led all scorers with 25 points, carving up the interior of the Owl defense with a plethora of post moves. Wheeler was not far behind, finishing the evening with 16 points, all scored in the first half. Courtney Whitson recorded a season-high four steals, with Wheeler and Gregory nearly matching with three steals apiece.
By the Numbers
14: Steals for MTSU on Thursday night, the most steals the Lady Raiders have had in C-USA play and their most in the single game since swiping 16 steals against Southern Illinois on November 12, 2022. The Lady Raiders scored 25 points off of 23 FAU turnovers.
5-for-24: FAU's shooting percentage from the field in the first half, including a 1-for-8 mark beyond the arc. MTSU held the Owls to just seven points in both the first and second quarter.
20-for-24: The Lady Raiders' success rate at the free throw line, good enough for 83.3 percent. It's the seventh game this season MTSU has hit at least 83.3 percent of their attempts from the free throw line.
Lady Raider Notes
Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Insell
"I was real happy with our first half. The second half was terrible. Probably the worst second half we've had in a long time. We had 25 points (in the second half), they scored 23 points in the third quarter. So we didn't good job. We didn't do a good job defensively and we didn't do a good job offensively.
"Kseniya came in and gave us a plus. She had how many points? 25? We needed every one of them. My hat's off to her, she did a good job."
Player's Perspective – Kseniya Malashka
On MTSU's 14 steals
"We just were in our gaps, playing our principles. For me, when I got my steal, the ball just came to me. I wasn't even moving as much."
Up Next
The Lady Raiders wrap up their three-game homestand on Saturday against FIU. Tipoff against the Panthers is set for 1 p.m.. Tickets are available at goblueraiders.com/tickets and by calling the Blue Raider Ticket Office at 615-898-5261. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
Follow the Lady Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball on social media on Facebook (/MTSUWBB), Twitter (@MT_WBB) and Instagram (@mt_wbb).
The Lady Raiders (17-2, 10-0 C-USA) led by as many as 27 points in the second quarter after turning the Owls (11-8, 4-6) over 13 times in the first half, 10 times on MTSU steals, resulting in 14 points off of FAU turnovers. The Lady Raiders took advantage of a plethora of opportunities at the free throw line in the game's first 20 minutes, knocking down all 11 of their first half free throw attempts, including an 8-for-8 clip from Savannah Wheeler.
A third quarter run from the Owls threatened to make things a game late, but MTSU would ultimately lead wire-to-wire. Kseniya Malashka's 12 fourth quarter points led a bounce-back final frame.
Malashka, who drew eight of FAU's 20 fouls on Thursday, led all scorers with 25 points, carving up the interior of the Owl defense with a plethora of post moves. Wheeler was not far behind, finishing the evening with 16 points, all scored in the first half. Courtney Whitson recorded a season-high four steals, with Wheeler and Gregory nearly matching with three steals apiece.
By the Numbers
14: Steals for MTSU on Thursday night, the most steals the Lady Raiders have had in C-USA play and their most in the single game since swiping 16 steals against Southern Illinois on November 12, 2022. The Lady Raiders scored 25 points off of 23 FAU turnovers.
5-for-24: FAU's shooting percentage from the field in the first half, including a 1-for-8 mark beyond the arc. MTSU held the Owls to just seven points in both the first and second quarter.
20-for-24: The Lady Raiders' success rate at the free throw line, good enough for 83.3 percent. It's the seventh game this season MTSU has hit at least 83.3 percent of their attempts from the free throw line.
Lady Raider Notes
- Alexis Whittington's five assists tied a season high.
- Courtney Whitson's four steals tied her career high.
- Middle Tennessee held Florida Atlantic to 14 points in the first half, which are the fewest scored by a Lady Raider opponent this season.
- The Lady Raiders improve to 30-1 all-time vs. Florida Atlantic.
Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Insell
"I was real happy with our first half. The second half was terrible. Probably the worst second half we've had in a long time. We had 25 points (in the second half), they scored 23 points in the third quarter. So we didn't good job. We didn't do a good job defensively and we didn't do a good job offensively.
"Kseniya came in and gave us a plus. She had how many points? 25? We needed every one of them. My hat's off to her, she did a good job."
Player's Perspective – Kseniya Malashka
On MTSU's 14 steals
"We just were in our gaps, playing our principles. For me, when I got my steal, the ball just came to me. I wasn't even moving as much."
Up Next
The Lady Raiders wrap up their three-game homestand on Saturday against FIU. Tipoff against the Panthers is set for 1 p.m.. Tickets are available at goblueraiders.com/tickets and by calling the Blue Raider Ticket Office at 615-898-5261. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
Follow the Lady Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball on social media on Facebook (/MTSUWBB), Twitter (@MT_WBB) and Instagram (@mt_wbb).
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