Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
29-4,16-0CUSA
Liberty
18-16,11-5CUSA
Lady Raiders go Back-to-Back as CUSA Champions, Snuff out Liberty 67-51
3/16/2024 10:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MTSU is just the second team in CUSA history to go undefeated in CUSA play and win the CUSA Tournament
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Middle Tennessee roared past Liberty, 67-51, on Saturday afternoon in Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center, claiming their second consecutive Conference USA Tournament title and earning an automatic bid into the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
After a tight first quarter that saw both teams shoot just 20 percent from the field, the Lady Raiders (29-4) roared to life in the second quarter, winning the quarter 22-9 to take a 29-17 lead into the locker room at the break. MTSU held the Flames (18-16) to just 2-for-12 from the field in the second frame while MTSU pushed the pace, scoring seven points on the fast break and going 3-for-6 as a team beyond the arc to take control of the game.
The Flames were able to cut the lead to single digits after three quarters with a strong third frame, but MTSU stayed hot throughout the fourth quarter, shooting 8-for-12 from the floor and 3-for-4 beyond the arc en route to 25 points in the fourth quarter, allowing the Lady Raiders to withstand multiple desperation threes from Liberty to easily dispatch the second seeded Flames.
Anastasiia Boldyreva was dynamite on Saturday, scoring a team-high 21 points while making a career-high three three-pointers, never missing a shot beyond the arc. She also grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots. Ta'Mia Scott starred late in the second half, scoring 10 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter. She also blocked a team-high three shots. CUSA Tournament MVP Savannah Wheeler scored 15 points while dishing out a team-high nine assists. She also nabbed three steals. Jalynn Gregory was the final Lady Raider in double figures, scoring 11 points, all in the first half, helping power MTSU to a 20-4 run in the second quarter.
By the Numbers
19: Wins over Conference USA teams this season for MTSU.
0: Losses against Conference USA Teams this season for MTSU. The Lady Raiders are just the second women's basketball team in CUSA history to go undefeated in conference play in the regular season and then win the CUSA Tournament (2018-19 Rice).
14: Points off turnovers for MTSU on Saturday. The Flames gave up the ball 11 times, allowing MTSU to attack on the fast break, where MTSU scored nine points.
Lady Raider Notes
• Savannah Wheeler was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 Conference USA Championship, while Anastasiia Boldyreva and Jalynn Gregory we're also named to the All-Tournament team.
• Boldyreva hits career high three triples agaisnt the Lady Flames, going a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.
• With the win, Middle Tennessee will make its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance and 12th under Head Coach Rick Insell.
Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Insell
"Just really proud of our basketball program right now. When you look at a program, you don't just look at your players. You look at your leadership. You look at your fan base. You look at your players. You look at support help. You look at your assistant coaches. I've said this over and over. I've got the best group of coaches in the nation. Our fan base is unbelievable, and our players never let me down all year long."
Player's Perspective – Ta'Mia Scott
"This year, it was kind of a relief to know that I was a part of something a lot bigger. Last year, I watched all the starting five do their thing. I knew my time was going to come. But this year, it feels so much more different and so much more appreciative of it, because I worked so hard for it on the court.
Up Next
Middle Tennessee awaits news of where they'll be playing in the NCAA Tournament. The selection show for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is set for Sunday, March 17 at 7 p.m. CT. MTSU will host a watch party of the Boulevard Bar and Grille just off campus for Lady Raider fans to join them.
Follow the Lady Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball on social media on Facebook (/MTSUWBB), X (Formerly known as Twitter) (@MT_WBB) and Instagram (@mt_wbb).
