LADY RAIDER BB CUSA Tourney Semi-finals: Middle Tennessee (26-4, 18-2) vs UT-El Paso (20-10, 12-8), ESPN+, 4:30PM, Friday, March 10, 2023

[SpaceRaider]

Location: El Paso, Texas
Founded: 1913
Enrollment: 24,003
Colors: Blue, Orange & Silver Nickname: Miners
Series: MTSU leads 10-3
Facility: Don Haskins Center
Head Coach: Kevin Baker
Record at UTEP: 73-73 (5) Overall: 195-103 (10) 2021-22 Record: 14-15 2022 Postseason: None
Starters Ret./Lost: 2/3 Letterwinners R/L: 7/6

Radio: WGNS 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM; 1450-AM
Talent: Dick Palmer (pxp) Duane Hickey (color)

TV: ESPN+
Talent: Chris Mycoskie (pxp) Kyle Youmans (analyst)

• LISTEN LIVE
• WATCH LIVE
• FULL SCHEDULE
• ROSTER
• MATCHUP HISTORY
• GAME NOTES

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[MTBig Blue]

This one scares me.

 

[crassyblue]

I think Savannah staying out of foul trouble will be a focus. On a lot of those kick-outs from Ksenia being double-teamed a lot would have went to Savanah. If she is hot that will make them pay for the double-teams.

 

[MTOleBlue]

I think we get our revenge today and blow them out. Let's Go Blue!

 

[MTFAN61]

Neither Gregory or Malashka had their normal offensive games yesterday. Hopefully they're more settled & get their rhythm back today. If they both do that, & Wheeler maintains yesterday's momentum I feel pretty good about today's game.

 

[MTFAN61]

For some reason we can't hit 3's against UTEP

 

[MTOleBlue]

That's the kind of first quarter we want. 18-12! Keep it up. Malashka on fire early.

 

[MTOleBlue]

For some reason we can't hit 3's against UTEP

They're WIDE OPEN shots, too. Gotta start making them.

 

[Blue Raider Lightning]

That's the kind of first quarter we want. 18-12! Keep it up. Malashka on fire early.

Yes, keep it up and get the 3 ball going. None in the first quarter. Sadly, Wheeler with a terrible foul at the end of the quarter, giving her two. 80 feet from the basket with seconds to go and she reached in. Hope that doesn't come back to haunt us.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Yes, keep it up and get the 3 ball going. None in the first quarter. Sadly, Wheeler with a terrible foul at the end of the quarter, giving her two. 80 feet from the basket with seconds to go and she reached in. Hope that doesn't come back to haunt us.

We are on fire again though. 25-14 early in the 2nd!

 

[Blue Raider Lightning]

I'll take it. As long as we are ahead, I am happy. Still 1 for 11 from three but the two's are falling. Keep it up!

 

[MTFAN61]

ESPN announcer just called Malashka a redshirt freshman. Dude I wish!! Hahaha

 

[MTOleBlue]

ESPN announcer just called Malashka a redshirt freshman. Dude I wish!! Hahaha

Haha he corrected himself. I WISH she was LOL

 

[MTFAN61]

#1 goal today, keep up steady effort & not to give up double digit leads as happened a few times in the past

 

[MidTennMtneer]

Getting jammed up now after the technical. Need to get back in rhythm.

 

[MTOleBlue]

HORRIBLE officials, Whittington had no contact and they call her for a charge. Give me a #!&@-ing break

 

[SpaceRaider]

Those officials are almost criminal.

MT 13 fouls, utep just 7 in the first half..

 

[MTOleBlue]

Those officials are almost criminal.

Almost? They are, unfortunately, some of the worst we've seen all year.

 

[Blue Raider Lightning]

What the heck was that? Four Middle starters with 2 + fouls. Courtney claps her hands and gets a tech. Alexis drives, stops and pops while not touching the UTEP girl who falls backwards and draws the charge. Ugg.......Even up the foul / free throw discrepancy and we are blowing them out.

 

[SpaceRaider]

Wheeler a no show on offense so far.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Wheeler a no show on offense so far.

Same story every game vs UTEP this year. Hope she can start hitting some (any) shots

 

[MTOleBlue]

"Surprised to this point that Insell hasn't called a timeout. Things starting to unravel." - ESPN announcer. WELCOME TO OUR LIVES.

 

[MTFAN61]

"Surprised to this point that Insell hasn't called a timeout. Things starting to unravel." - ESPN announcer. WELCOME TO OUR LIVES.

We have to remember, he doesn't call them until after the lead is gone

 

[MTOleBlue]

Both ESPN announcers shaming the announcers - AGAIN - for a missed call when they call Blakely for a foul when she blocked a UTEP layup.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Insell hasn't called a single timeout all game. That is literally unacceptable. Also Whittington NEEDS TO STOP FADING AWAY FROM EVERY SINGLE SHOT. Try to rebound especially if it's an obvious miss!

 

[MTFAN61]

Seen this scenario once too often. Frustrating

 

[MTOleBlue]

This game has had the most charges called I've seen in ages. We HAVE TO STOP charging out of control into them, like come on

 

[SpaceRaider]

4:27

MT lead 56-50

Gregory, Wheeler, Blakely have 4 fouls each

 

[SpaceRaider]

Malashka gets her 4th

 

[MTOleBlue]

LET'S GO JALYNN GREGORY!! What a performance tonight! Best player on the team IMO

 

[SpaceRaider]

3:12

61-52

 

[MTOleBlue]

Surprisingly, this is our best game against UTEP so far this year lol

 

[MTFAN61]

Hit your freaking free throws!

 

[MTOleBlue]

HUGE WIN!!!!!! LET'S GO BLUE!!! That should secure an NCAA bid no matter what happens tomorrow

 

[SpaceRaider]

WHEW!

 

[MTFAN61]

Knew we had it all the way!😅

 

[SpaceRaider]

The UTEP coach needs to take his girls to a restaurant. They obviously are malnourished.

 

[Blue Raider Lightning]

Whitson and Gregory take control and refuse to lose! Love their leadership. You knew it was bad when the announcers started mentioning the FT discrepancy, but we overcame. Bag it, tag it and moving on. Really hoping UTSA pulls the upset. WKU is solid but that UTSA game would give us more motivation I think.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Whitson and Gregory take control and refuse to lose! Love their leadership. You knew it was bad when the announcers started mentioning the FT discrepancy, but we overcame. Bag it, tag it and moving on. Really hoping UTSA pulls the upset. WKU is solid but that UTSA game would give us more motivation I think.

That matchup is ideal for us - our biggest rival and the team we have a grudge against with extra motivation after they beat us!