Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders Sweep CUSA Player, Freshman of the Week Awards
2/16/2026 1:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DALLAS – Middle Tennessee women's basketball swept the Conference USA weekly awards on Monday, as Alayna Contreras was named Conference USA Player of the Week and Macie Phifer earned Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors.
Contreras, a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, captured the second Player of the Week award of her career and the program's first Player of the Week recognition of the 2025–26 season after leading the Blue Raiders to a 2–0 week in conference play. She capped the week with a season-high 28-point performance against Kennesaw State, shooting 10-of-14 from the field and a career-best 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, while adding two steals and an assist. Earlier in the week against Jacksonville State, Contreras totaled 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, anchoring Middle Tennessee on both ends of the floor.
Phifer, a native of New Albany, Mississippi, earned her second Freshman of the Week award of the season after playing a key role in Middle Tennessee's unbeaten week. The honor marks the program's 10th Freshman of the Week award this year. The rookie averaged 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, scoring 12 points with eight rebounds against Jacksonville State before following up with an 18-point, eight-rebound effort versus Kennesaw State. Phifer also posted career highs in steals during the week while continuing to make an impact defensively.
Up Next
Middle Tennessee continues Conference USA play on Saturday, Feb. 21, when the Blue Raiders travel to WKU. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will air on the Blue Raider Network and broadcast on ESPN+.
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