Lady Raiders Scrap the Mean Green

C-USA Action Heating Up in 2017

The Lady Raiders hosted their C-USA rivals, North Texas Saturday night.

After a somewhat rough start to the season, MT has come out hot in conference play. With wins over UAB and Rice, respectively. MT looked to keep it’s winning ways going against the 5-9 Lady Mean Green.

With many of the True Blue fan base still away on holiday break the Murph wasn’t packed, but it was loud. As usual, Ty Petty was the center of attention. But this time not for her stellar court vision or scoring prowess, but for foul trouble. Petty was on the bench at the end first quarter with three early fouls (much to the Murphy Center’s dismay) However, Petty was not the only player in foul trouble on the night. As the officials whistled 21 fouls in the first half, keeping the game at a crawl early on.

At the end of the first half MT’s undefeated C-USA record was at risk, as the Lady Raiders trailed 19-22.

First Half Stats

Lady Raiders Look to Rebound from Slow First Half

Coach Insell and company came out more focused in the second half, cutting out the fouls (only 2 in the third) and playing their type of tempo. The ladies would also reestablish a lead, 36-32 heading into the fourth.

Although the Lady Raiders were finding their groove, the Mean Green wouldn’t go away quietly. In a game where the lead was changed 10 times and tied seven, there was no surprise North Texas would fight. Luckily for MTSU fans, #20, Ty Petty, put her cape on in the fourth. Petty walked her defender up the court, pulling up at arc and nailing a three to put MT in front. Moments later Petty would strike again, this time on the defensive end with a steal which would lead to another basket.

The Lady Raiders would ride Pety’s late game heroics to another win in C-USA play, moving to 3-0. Now 8-6 overall with the 60-52 victory over North Texas.

On a night where Ty Petty didn’t get going until late in the fourth and suffering through tons of foul trouble, this was a true character win for Insell’s squad.

The Lady Raiders will be back in action and on the road at Marshall 01/12 at 5PM.