Blue Raiders Drop 70-65 Decision at WKU

Saturday, February 21

Bowling Green, Ky.

2 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

14-12,9-5CUSA

WKU

7-18,3-11CUSA

Middle Tenn.

Western Ky.

2/21/2026 4:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Edly Termilien / MTSU Athletic Communications

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Middle Tennessee (14-12, 9-5 CUSA) lost to WKU 7-18 (3-11 CUSA), falling to 70-65 on Saturday afternoon.

In the first half, the Blue Raiders had a 6-5 lead before the Lady Toppers took the lead 7-6, extended the lead to 18-8 until MTSU went on a 6-0 run, cutting it to 18-14 with senior Alayna Contreras three pointer and free throws by freshmen Macie Phifer and Yu Han Lin. WKU went on another scoring to extend their lead to 30-19 going into halftime.

Phifer opened the fourth period, and Kirston Verhulst followed with a three-pointer. The Blue Raider defensive stops turned into turnovers, with freshman Carsyn Swaney converting a steal into a fast-break and-one that cut the deficit to five. A 14-2 run in the fourth quarter cut a 20-point lead to single digits and helped with the Phifer, who cut it to 3 points with 2:55. With just seconds remaining, she buried a deep three to make it a one-possession game at 70-65, but it wasn't enough for the Blue Raiders.

Phifer led the Blue Raiders with 21 points, knocking down three triples and converting 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Freshman Blair Baugus posted a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, and Kirston Verhulst added 13 points and six rebounds.

Coach's Comments:
"We waited too long to get after it. In the second half, we did a better job, but we still waited for too long to get after it."

By The Numbers
3: Three players from Middle Tennessee reached double figures.
27: Fourth-quarter points scored by the Blue Raiders, their highest-scoring period of the game.
36: Total rebounds for Middle Tennessee, out-rebounded Western Kentucky University 36-32.

UP NEXT:
The Blue Raiders head to Lynchburg, Va, to take on the Liberty Flames on Thursday, February 26. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The game will air on the Blue Raider Network and broadcast on ESPN+.

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