Blue Raiders get back into the win column with 57-48 victory over Jax State

Thursday, February 12

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

6:30 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

13-11,8-4CUSA

Jax State

12-12,5-6CUSA

Jacksonville St.

Middle Tenn.

2/12/2026 8:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Anthony Fiorella / MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –If you're a fan of old school, grind-it-out style of basketball, than Middle Tennessee's (13-11, 8-4 CUSA) 57-48 win over Jax State (12-12, 6-6 CUSA) was the game for you. The Blue Raiders out-rebounded the Gamecocks 39-26 and outscored Jax State 24-14 in the paint while post players Blair Baugus and Macie Phifer combined for 29 points and 24 rebounds while committing just four combined fouls.

The Blue Raiders roared out of the gate, going on a 14-1 run that prompted a Jax State timeout with 5:15 to play in the opening period. The Blue Raiders finished the first quarter with a 19-9 lead behind seven points, five rebounds and two assists from Baugus. Kirston Verhulst, Phifer and Alayna Contreras all finished the opening quarter with four points a piece. Phifer also grabbed three rebounds.

Jax State found some success from the perimeter, shooting 4-of-6 from distance, and limited Middle Tennessee's ability to score inside in the second quarter to make a game of it before the break, with the Blue Raiders hanging onto a 31-27 lead. Baugus led all scorers in the game with 12 first-half points to go along with seven rebounds. Verhulst finished the half with eight points and four rebounds and Contreras dished out two assists while scoring five points.

The Blue Raiders came out of the break much like they started the game, going on a 7-3 run to begin the third quarter and help stretch the lead back out to 46-39 heading into the fourth quarter. The duo down low for Middle Tennessee once again controlled the pace of the game. Baugus scored five points and grabbed five offensive rebounds in the third quarter to help her to a total of six in the period and Phifer scored six points and pulled down four rebounds to bring her game totals to 12 points and seven boards. The freshmen helped Middle Tennessee to a plus-10 advantage in the rebounding column heading into the final quarter.

Individually, Baugus proved to be a force as she finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Both Phifer and Verhulst finished the game with 12 points and Contreras had 11. Had it not been for a last-second layup from Jax State, the Blue Raiders would've tied their season-low for opponent field goal attempts at 44. The 45 shot attempts showed Middle Tennessee's ability to disrupt the Gamecock's offensive rhythm, as they also were active in getting into passing lanes with 10 steals as a team.

Coach's Comments 

By the Numbers 
10: Double-doubles on the year for Blair Baugus.

16: offensive rebounds for Middle Tennessee, which led to a 19-7 advantage in second chance points.

+13: The overall rebounding margin in favor of the Blue Raiders.

UP NEXT: 
Kennesaw State will take the trip north to face Middle Tennessee in the Glass House Saturday at 4:00 p.m. CDT on both ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Network.

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