MTSU Women Dance On To Semis

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Middle Tennessee (22-8) earned a bid to the C-USA Championship semifinals on Thursday night with a 74-54 decision over Rice (9-22).

A quartet of Blue Raiders scored in double figures as they were led by Brea Edwards’ game-best 23 points. Abbey Sissom dropped 16 points, while Johnson and Reuter chipped in 11 and 10, respectively.

An early 8-0 run in the opening minutes of the first quarter was all Middle Tennessee needed as it claimed an early 8-2 run, which it would never relinquish.

Middle Tennessee maintained control until the end of the third when a Gabrielle Stanton trey sparked a 13-2 run to kick off the final 10 minutes to cut the MT lead to seven, 55-48, at the 6:27 mark.

“Rice is very intelligent basketball, they crash the boards hard, and they make you work hard on every position. I knew I needed Rebecca tonight, she one the smartest players we have on this team. We recruit championship basketball players when they’re in high school so when they get to this level they know how to handle this type of stage. My team made me look like a good coach tonight.–Coach Insell

The long ball kept the Owls at bay as Middle Tennessee matched every bucket Rice made to end the contest.

Rice’s Maya Hawkins poured in 19 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor. Stanton was the only other Owl in double figures as she added 10 points.

The Blue Raiders return to the court on Friday as it faces Marshall at 12:30 p.m. CST at Legacy Arena. The game will be televised on CBSSports TV.