Blue Raider women’s basketball ends regular season with 86-75 win over Missouri State

Saturday, March 7

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

16-14,11-7CUSA

Missouri State

19-12,11-7CUSA

Missouri St.

Middle Tenn.

3/7/2026 5:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Anthony Fiorella / MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Heading into the Conference USA Tournament, Middle Tennessee's (16-14, 11-7 CUSA) women's basketball squad is perhaps the most unpredictable bunch on its' way to Huntsville next week. Through the highs and lows, this year's Blue Raider team has shown that if it can get some consistency and momentum about itself, it can be a dangerous team, and Middle Tennessee exhibited those qualities in a 86-75 over the Missouri State Lady Bears (19-12, 11-7 CUSA). The Blue Raiders never took their foot off the gas, offensively, starting fast and finishing the game 52% from the field as a team thanks in large part to generating 16 turnovers and 21 points off turnovers, a quality it showed this past Thursday against FIU.

Blair Baugus got off to a quick start, finishing the first quarter with 10 points, a rebound and an assist to help the Blue Raiders to a 19-14 lead after one. Alayna Contreras was active early, with five points and two steals in the first quarter.

The Blue Raiders stretched the lead to as much as 16 points in the second quarter and had a 9-0 run in the middle of the period, helping them finish it with a 12-4 advantage in the turnover margin, one that included nine steals as a team. Middle Tennessee finished the quarter with 18 points off turnovers and held the Lady Bears to just five in that stretch, also keeping CUSA's leading scorer Kaemyn Bekemeier to just five points in the half.

The Blue Raiders went into the half up 46-30 with Baugus and Contreras continuing to lead the charge. Baugus had a team-high 16 points and five rebound while Contreras contributed 14 points with a team-high three steals. Macie Phifer also finished the half with nine points and two rebounds.

Missouri State was able to cut into the lead by getting to the foul line, shooting 6-of-8 from the charity stripe along with hitting a game-high seven field goals in the quarter to shrink the Middle Tennessee lead to 60-53 after the third quarter.

The Lady Bears narrowed it to within five with 1:52 to play, but Middle Tennessee's strong free-throw shooting helped them close the game out against a team that caught fire in the fourth quarter. The Blue Raiders finished the game 24-of-28 from the line, including 11-of-13 in the final quarter.

In what could be her final game in the Murphy Center, Contreras gave the fans one to remember with a season-high 31 points, tying a career-high with 12 free throws.

Baugus finished with a career-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, giving her the 13th double-double of her young career. Phifer also finished in double-figures with 12 points and had four rebounds while guard Kirston Verhulst had eight points with four rebounds. As a team, Middle Tennessee stole 11 passes, led by Contreras and Carsyn Swaney who each had three a piece. Offensively, the Blue Raiders only committed nine turnovers as a team.

Coach's Comments 

By the Numbers 

9: 20+ point games for senior Alayna Contreras this season, the highest on the team.

29: Blair Baugus' new career high in points scored.

31: Alayna Contreras' 30 points is both a season and team-high for her.

13: Baugus picked up her team-high 13th double-double.

UP NEXT: 
Middle Tennessee begins play in the Conference USA Tournament next week from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Stay tuned to our social media accounts and goblueraiders.com for more information on gameday, time and opponent information.

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