Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Thursday, March 12
Huntsville, Ala.
2 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
16-15,11-7CUSA
66
vs
69
Missouri State
20-12,11-7CUSA
1st quarter1
2nd quarter2
3rd quarter3
4th quarter4
FinalF
Missouri St.
20
15
20
14
69
Middle Tenn.
13
15
18
20
66
Middle Tennessee Falls to Missouri State 69–66 in CUSA Quarterfinal
3/12/2026 5:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Middle Tennessee (16-15, 11-7 CUSA) late rally came up just short Thursday afternoon as the Blue Raiders fell to Missouri State (20-12, 11-7 CUSA) 69–66, in the Conference USA Women's Basketball Championship quarterfinals.
The Bears began the game with strong shooting, establishing a 20–13 lead by the end of the first quarter. Middle Tennessee responded late in the half, going on a 7–0 run to close the gap to 35–28 by halftime.
Entering the fourth quarter trailing 55-46, the Blue Raiders mounted a comeback, scoring 20 points. In the final minute, they capped off their effort with a 5–0 run. Senior Alayna Contreras hit a pull-up jumper with 1:22 remaining to make the score 66-60. With just 45 seconds left, she added another three-pointer, bringing the score to 66-63. She then made her final three-pointer with 26.5 seconds on the clock, closing the gap to 69-66, but the Blue Raiders were unable to secure a win.
Contreras led the Blue Raiders with a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers and 12 points scored in the fourth quarter. Freshman Blair Baugus contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while freshman Macie Phifer added eight points and seven rebounds.
Coach's Comments:
"Overall, I'm pretty proud of our young ladies. Get floor on the floor practice, proud this month. Just be honest. They fought hard. We had our shot. "
By the Numbers:
24 - Contreras recorded a game-high, including four three-pointers.
19 - Baugus recorded a double-double 19 points with 11 rebounds.
40 - Contreras, Baugus, and Phifer played for 40 minutes.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball on social media on Facebook (/MTSUWBB), X (Formerly known as Twitter) (@MT_WBB) and Instagram (@mt_wbb).
The Bears began the game with strong shooting, establishing a 20–13 lead by the end of the first quarter. Middle Tennessee responded late in the half, going on a 7–0 run to close the gap to 35–28 by halftime.
Entering the fourth quarter trailing 55-46, the Blue Raiders mounted a comeback, scoring 20 points. In the final minute, they capped off their effort with a 5–0 run. Senior Alayna Contreras hit a pull-up jumper with 1:22 remaining to make the score 66-60. With just 45 seconds left, she added another three-pointer, bringing the score to 66-63. She then made her final three-pointer with 26.5 seconds on the clock, closing the gap to 69-66, but the Blue Raiders were unable to secure a win.
Contreras led the Blue Raiders with a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers and 12 points scored in the fourth quarter. Freshman Blair Baugus contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while freshman Macie Phifer added eight points and seven rebounds.
Coach's Comments:
"Overall, I'm pretty proud of our young ladies. Get floor on the floor practice, proud this month. Just be honest. They fought hard. We had our shot. "
By the Numbers:
24 - Contreras recorded a game-high, including four three-pointers.
19 - Baugus recorded a double-double 19 points with 11 rebounds.
40 - Contreras, Baugus, and Phifer played for 40 minutes.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball on social media on Facebook (/MTSUWBB), X (Formerly known as Twitter) (@MT_WBB) and Instagram (@mt_wbb).
Team Stats
MOST
MTSU
FG%
.458
.383
3FG%
.231
.192
FT%
.522
.938
RB
38
37
TO
14
15
STL
11
8
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
9
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
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