RV/RV and C-USA-Leading Lady Raiders Take On UTSA

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.—Off to its best start in the Rick Insell era and since 1995-96 (10-2), Middle Tennessee women's basketball hosts UTSA Jan. 5 to open up 2023. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the Murphy Center.

LAST TIME OUT

Middle Tennessee women's basketball pulled away late on the road to defeat WKU 80-75 on New Year's Eve.

After trailing for the entire first half, the Lady Raiders (10-2, 3-0) maintained a tight lead over WKU (4-7, 1-1) for a majority of the third quarter. Two Courtney Blakely baskets to open the third frame gave Middle Tennessee its first lead of the afternoon at 42-40. Blakely went on to score all of her eight points in the quarter.

A 14-5 MTSU run from the closing minutes in the third quarter to the six minute mark in the fourth created more separation by giving the Lady Raiders their first double figure lead of the day (71-60). The Lady Toppers cut into the Lady Raider lead in the last 5:53, getting as close as five, but Middle Tennessee's final nine points came at the free throw line to hold off WKU.

Jalynn Gregory led all scorers and set a new season high in points with 26, along with four assists. Kseniya Malashka posted 19 points, seven rebounds and matched her career-high with four blocks off the bench. Courtney Whitson added 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

ON THE COURT

Stat Leaders:
Points - Kseniya Malashka (16.8 PPG)
Rebounds - Courtney Whitson (8.3 RPG)
Assists - Savannah Wheeler (3.7 APG)
Steals - Jalynn Gregory (2.0 SPG)

LADY RAIDER NOTES

MTSU is 122-35 vs. C-USA members since joining the league prior to the 2013-14 season. The 122 wins are the most of any league member during this span.
Since receiving her diploma on Dec. 10, Kseniya Malashka has been on a tear. The redshirt senior, who graduated with a degree in business administration, has averaged 20.8 points in her last four games. In that span, the Minsk native has averaged 7.5 rebounds per game and has 13 blocks. Malashka was recognized as Conference USA's Player of the Week for the third time in her career Jan. 2 and was named to the NCAA Starting Five Jan. 4.
Through three conference games, Malashka is averaging a league-leading 21 points per contest. Malashka leads Conference USA and ranks 18th in the country in blocks per game (2.2) while ranking second in field goal percentage among C-USA qualifiers (.489).
The Lady Raiders are 26th in the latest NET ratings, ranked above any other program in Conference USA. NET rankings take into account game results, strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin, net offensive and defensive efficiency and quality of wins and losses.
Middle Tennessee leads all of Conference USA and ranks 35th in the nation with a 17.0 scoring margin. In their 10 wins, the Lady Raiders are averaging a 21.0 point differential.
The current eight game winning streak not only tied for 11th among active winning streaks in the country, but is the longest by a Lady Raider team since MTSU won nine in a row from Jan. 21 to Feb. 21, 2016.

RESEARCHING THE ROADRUNNERS

UTSA snapped a three-game losing streak on New Year's Eve with a 71-68 win over UAB. The Roadrunners have yet to win a road game in five tries.
Jordyn Jenkins leads the conference in overall scoring, putting up 19.9 points per game while averaging seven rebounds per game. Jenkins has impacted the defensive end as well with 13 blocks and a team-leading 17 steals.
While averaging 6.5 points and five rebounds per game, Kyra White leads the team in assists with 48.
The Roadrunners lead the conference in rebound margin (7.5) and blocks per game (4.3).
Middle Tennessee has never lost to UTSA in eight previous matchups. The Lady Raiders are averaging a margin of victory of 18.6 in the all-time series.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Thursday is Middle Tennessee Schools/Rutherford County Schools night. All students who attended either the MBB/WBB Education Day received a voucher for a free child's ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Courtney Blakely

Jalynn Gregory

Kseniya Malashka

Savannah Wheeler

Courtney Whitson

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics