Blue Raider women cap off first CUSA homestand with 88-51 win over New Mexico State

Saturday, January 10

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

12 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

9-7,4-0CUSA

NM State

6-10,2-2CUSA

New Mexico St.

Middle Tenn.

1/10/2026 2:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Anthony Fiorella / MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Prior to Middle Tennessee's (9-7, 4-0 CUSA) Saturday matinee matchup with New Mexico State (6-10, 2-2 CUSA), guard Alayna Contreras was honored for scoring her 1000th career point on the Blue Raiders last road trip in a game against Kennesaw State. The Minneapolis native, known for her ability to score in bunches, did just that by providing 18 points in the Blue Raiders 88-51 win to move them to 4-0 in Conference play.

Just as it did against UTEP, Middle Tennessee got out to a quick start on both ends of the floor, finishing the first quarter with a 28-9 lead. The Blue Raiders went on a impressive 14-1 run that spanned from just over 7:30 mark to just under the 3:30 mark of the quarter. Contreras' three first quarter three-pointers tied her season-high for threes in a game and she led all scorers with 11. As a team, Middle Tennessee shot 70% from beyond the arc, with Savannah Davis also hitting three of her own to give her nine points to open the game.

The Blue Raiders went on another sustained run in the second quarter, outscoring the Aggies 14-3 from the 8:41 mark down to the 2:43 mark to help take a 49-19 lead at the half. Middle Tennessee held New Mexico State to just 25% from the field and forced seven first half turnovers.

The Blue Raiders shot 10-of-16 from distance and set season-best marks for points scored in a half while tying the mark they set against UTEP on Thursday night with just 19 points allowed in a half. Contreras' 15 points led all scorer's while Davis had 12 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Macie Phifer led the Blue Raiders with five rebounds, also tallying eight points at the break.

Middle Tennessee did a good job sharing the ball in the second half. The Blue Raiders finished the game with 15 assists on 30 made baskets. The Blue Raiders had two players finish with a team-high four assists, including Blair Baugus and Macie Phifer.

Phifer fished with 15 points and 10 rebounds to give the Albany, Mississippi, native the second double-double of her young career. Contreras finished with 18 points and knocked down a season-high four three-pointers while Savannah Davis also hit a season-high four three-pointers to give her 12 points.

Nicole Dominguez tallied a career-high eight points and grabbed five boards in a season-high 11 minutes. Yu Han Lin scored 15 points with a pair of assists in 18 minutes of action off the bench. Baugus and Verhulst both finished with eight points, while Verhulst pulled down five rebounds and Baugus grabbed four to help the Blue Raiders out-rebound New Mexico State 42-30.

Coach's Comments

By the Numbers
2: players set their season-best total for three pointers in a game this season, with Contreras and Davis both hitting four to help Middle Tennessee tie a season-high 13 as a team.
8: Career-high in points for Nicole Dominguez.
15: Team high in assists in a game for the Blue Raiders.
88: Highest point total in a game for the Blue Raiders this season.

UP NEXT:
Middle Tennessee travels to Ruston, Louisiana, for a 6:30 CDT tip with LA Tech. The game will be on both ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Network.

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