Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, February 18
Miami, FL
11 a.m.
Middle Tennessee
-224,152 CUSA
85
at
46
FIU
-1213,79 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tenn.
16
19
23
27
85
FIU
8
12
11
15
46
Team Stats
MTSU
FIU
FG%
.544
.321
3FG%
.429
.067
FT%
.933
.611
RB
29
36
TO
9
19
STL
11
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Matt Posey/MT Athletic Communications
Lady Raiders Overpower Panthers
2/18/2023 3:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MTSU dominates inside in blowout win
MIAMI—Middle Tennessee women's basketball attacked the rim all afternoon and outscored FIU 42-18 in the paint in an 85-46 stomping of FIU Saturday.
With the win, the Lady Raiders (22-4, 15-2 C-USA) claimed at least a share of the 2023 Conference USA WBB Regular Season Championship.
MTSU shot 54 percent from the field and led by as many as 40 in their fourth straight win.
MTSU never looked back against the Panthers (12-13, 7-9 C-USA) after its 11-2 first quarter run. Scoring nine points in the opening frame, Jalynn Gregory finished the first with an emphatic and-one to beat the buzzer and put the Lady Raiders up 16-8.
A 12-1 run to close out the half extended the MTSU lead to 15 (35-20) at the break as the Lady Raiders shot 61 percent (8-for-13) from the floor in the second quarter.
Two pairs of layups by Savannah Wheeler and Courtney Whitson jumpstarted a 17-2 run three minutes into the second half. With the Lady Raiders continuing to roll, their lead grew to 40 (83-43) with 1:44 left to play on consecutive 3-pointers from Whitson and Gregory.
Courtney Blakely impressed all afternoon, scoring a season-high 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field. Blakely also added three assists and two rebounds.
Gregory made four 3s and scored a game-high 20 points, along with four steals and three assists. Whitson made seven of nine attempts from the field while finishing with 19 points and six rebounds. Savannah Wheeler added 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.
By the Numbers
39: In addition to sweeping the regular season series, Middle Tennessee handed FIU its worst loss of the season. The previous highest margin of defeat for the Panthers was to Florida Gulf Coast, 63-92, Nov. 13, 2022.
63%: Field goal percentage in the fourth quarter with seven of 11 shots made.
1: Number of 3-pointers Middle Tennessee held FIU to.
93%: Lady Raider free throw percentage (14-of-15). MTSU made 25 of 27 free throws this week on its Florida road trip.
Game Notes
- Today's 40-point lead marks the third game this season the Lady Raiders have held at least a 40-point advantage (UTSA and Southern Illinois). It is also the third straight game MTSU has held at least a 27-point lead.
- Jalynn Gregory recorded her sixth 20-plus point game of the season. Each of those games have come on the road.
- Alexis Whittington's six assists set a new season high and matched her career high.
- Jalynn Gregory tied both a season and career high in steals with four.
Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Insell
"Courtney Blakely was the difference in the whole ballgame. She came in after Courtney (Whitson) got in foul trouble. We put Courtney Blakely in and goodness gracious she was everywhere defensively, pushing the ball, getting the ball to people, scoring, she's just so quick she went around defenders, she was just feeling it today. When she's like that she's unstoppable."
"Our kids are just so interchangeable. We've got so many things that can go on, there just so interchangeable. Everybody we got plays an important role and they got to play their role. The chemistry today was just unbelievable though."
Up Next
Just one game is scheduled for Middle Tennessee next week. The Lady Raiders travel to Louisiana Tech to face the Lady Techsters Feb. 25. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Thomas Assembly Center.
With the win, the Lady Raiders (22-4, 15-2 C-USA) claimed at least a share of the 2023 Conference USA WBB Regular Season Championship.
MTSU shot 54 percent from the field and led by as many as 40 in their fourth straight win.
MTSU never looked back against the Panthers (12-13, 7-9 C-USA) after its 11-2 first quarter run. Scoring nine points in the opening frame, Jalynn Gregory finished the first with an emphatic and-one to beat the buzzer and put the Lady Raiders up 16-8.
A 12-1 run to close out the half extended the MTSU lead to 15 (35-20) at the break as the Lady Raiders shot 61 percent (8-for-13) from the floor in the second quarter.
Two pairs of layups by Savannah Wheeler and Courtney Whitson jumpstarted a 17-2 run three minutes into the second half. With the Lady Raiders continuing to roll, their lead grew to 40 (83-43) with 1:44 left to play on consecutive 3-pointers from Whitson and Gregory.
Courtney Blakely impressed all afternoon, scoring a season-high 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field. Blakely also added three assists and two rebounds.
Gregory made four 3s and scored a game-high 20 points, along with four steals and three assists. Whitson made seven of nine attempts from the field while finishing with 19 points and six rebounds. Savannah Wheeler added 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.
By the Numbers
39: In addition to sweeping the regular season series, Middle Tennessee handed FIU its worst loss of the season. The previous highest margin of defeat for the Panthers was to Florida Gulf Coast, 63-92, Nov. 13, 2022.
63%: Field goal percentage in the fourth quarter with seven of 11 shots made.
1: Number of 3-pointers Middle Tennessee held FIU to.
93%: Lady Raider free throw percentage (14-of-15). MTSU made 25 of 27 free throws this week on its Florida road trip.
Game Notes
- Today's 40-point lead marks the third game this season the Lady Raiders have held at least a 40-point advantage (UTSA and Southern Illinois). It is also the third straight game MTSU has held at least a 27-point lead.
- Jalynn Gregory recorded her sixth 20-plus point game of the season. Each of those games have come on the road.
- Alexis Whittington's six assists set a new season high and matched her career high.
- Jalynn Gregory tied both a season and career high in steals with four.
Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Insell
"Courtney Blakely was the difference in the whole ballgame. She came in after Courtney (Whitson) got in foul trouble. We put Courtney Blakely in and goodness gracious she was everywhere defensively, pushing the ball, getting the ball to people, scoring, she's just so quick she went around defenders, she was just feeling it today. When she's like that she's unstoppable."
"Our kids are just so interchangeable. We've got so many things that can go on, there just so interchangeable. Everybody we got plays an important role and they got to play their role. The chemistry today was just unbelievable though."
Up Next
Just one game is scheduled for Middle Tennessee next week. The Lady Raiders travel to Louisiana Tech to face the Lady Techsters Feb. 25. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Thomas Assembly Center.
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
