LADY RAIDER BB Middle Tennessee (24-4, 14-0) at Liberty (15-14, 10-4) Wed. 03-06, 6 pm ESPN+

[MTFAN61]

Middle Tennessee will take on its biggest challenge of the conference season this Wednesday when it travels to Lynchburg for its game against the Liberty Flames. The Raiders & the Flames are the 2 hottest teams in CUSA. Liberty is riding a 5 game winning streak, & #2 conference ranking while the Raiders are on a CUSA best 14 game winning streak. Liberty suffered one of its worst losses of the year in Murfreesboro earlier this year, & will be looking to even the score.
The Raiders caught fire in the 4th quarter after a sluggish defensive effort against Sam Houston in its last outing. Knowing a huge matchup was awaiting them in Lynchburg the Lady Raiders may have been caught looking ahead slightly to their game against Liberty. To paraphrase CRI post game "now that we've won the regular season we'll see how bad our desire is to go undefeated in conference." Liberty will likely have its biggest & rowdiest attended game of the year for the Raiders. In what will be a NCAA game atmosphere the Lady Raiders will need to fire on all cylinders for 40 minutes to pull out this season's toughest challenge.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Definitely going to be a tough test. Hope the girls come ready to play. We should beat them soundly, but as we know, anything can happen.

 

[MTFAN61]

Definitely going to be a tough test. Hope the girls come ready to play. We should beat them soundly, but as we know, anything can happen.

Yes anything can happen, but I like the maturity of this team behind Whitson & Wheeler. Plus the added fire power that Scott, Gregory, & Boldyreva have makes MT a tough out. I know we don't want to give up that undefeated record, but if we do I think Liberty will have to really earn it Wednesday.

 

[SpaceRaider]

Lady Raiders travel to Liberty for final road game - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Wednesday, Mar. 6 | 6 p.m. | Liberty Arena | Lynchburg, Va. MIDDLE TENNESSEE LADY RAIDERS 24-4, 14-0

goblueraiders.com

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[SpaceRaider]

MT trails by one after the first period. 15-16.


Team Comparison

STATISTIC	MT	LU
FG%	38%	40%
FGs	5-13	6-15
3FG%	38%	33%
3FGs	3-8	1-3
FT%	40%	75%
FTs	2-5	3-4
TOs	1	2
PtsOffTO	4	2
TotReb	6	12
DefReb	5	8
Off Reb	1	4
2ndChPts	2	6
BenchPts	0	5
PtsPaint	4	8
FstBkPt	6	0
Blocks	0	0
Steals	1	0
Assts	2	4
Times Tied:	2
Time Tied:	2:16
Lead Chg:	4
LeadTime	5:30	2:15

 

[SpaceRaider]

MT leads 34-23

Team Comparison

TEAM	FG%	FG	3F%	3F	FT%	FT	TO	PtTO	REB	OR	B	S	A
MT	41%	12-29	40%	6-15	50%	4-8	2	12	15	3	2	6	5
LU	30%	9-30	25%	2-8	75%	3-4	8	2	25	9	2	1	7

 

[Blue Raider Lightning]

Looked better in the 2nd quarter. Gotta hit those FT's. Unusual for us to struggle there.

 

[SpaceRaider]

after three periods 48-40

Score by Period

TEAM	1	2	3	T
MT	15	19	14	48
LU	16	7	17	40

 

[SpaceRaider]

Looked better in the 2nd quarter. Gotta hit those FT's. Unusual for us to struggle there.

If MT loses it will be the FTs that cause it along with the rebounding or lack there of.

 

[Blue Raider Lightning]

Can't let Hess get going. First 5 min of the 4th will be important.

 

[SpaceRaider]

Final 67-52

Score by Period

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
MTS	15	19	14	19	67
LU	16	7	17	12	52

 

[Blue Raider Lightning]

I'll take it. Big road win!

 

[SpaceRaider]

Team Comparison

STATISTIC	MT	LU
FG%	40%	38%
FGs	26-65	20-53
3FG%	33%	27%
3FGs	8-24	4-15
FT%	58%	62%
FTs	7-12	8-13
TOs	4	13
PtsOffTO	21	6
TotReb	37	40
DefReb	21	26
Off Reb	16	14
2ndChPts	18	13
BenchPts	6	9
PtsPaint	28	28
FstBkPt	14	2
Blocks	5	3
Steals	9	2
Assts	10	13
Times Tied:	4
Time Tied:	2:47
Lead Chg:	5
LeadTime	34:40	2:34

 

[tyler90wm]

Good win over a team that's playing really well. They are much better than their record, I think I remember you guys saying their non-conference schedule was legit. I thought Liberty's broadcast was pretty dang good as well as their announcers.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Absolutely fantastic win tonight. Liberty will be our likely opponent in the championship if all goes according to plan for both teams... This is our best road win of the year, and it came at the perfect time. Well done by the ladies, coaches!

 

[SpaceRaider]

2023-24 CUSA Standings​

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Middle Tennessee	15-0	-	25-4
Florida International	10-4	4.5	19-9
Liberty	10-5	5	15-15
Louisiana Tech	6-8	8.5	12-17
Western Kentucky	6-9	9	15-15
Jacksonville State	6-9	9	11-16
UTEP	6-9	9	11-17
New Mexico State	5-10	10	11-17
Sam Houston	2-12	12.5	7-19

 

[SpaceRaider]

The Liberty women's home record in their current arena going into this game was 52-7. 30-2 in conference games going back to previous affiliation. Previous to the loss against MT they were 10-4 at home this season.

2023 24 Liberty Women's Basketball Game Notes 30 Middle Tennessee home (03 06 24) - Liberty University

2023 24 Liberty Women's Basketball Game Notes 30 Middle Tennessee home (03 06 24)

libertyflames.com

 

[MTFAN61]

Raiders just went in & out toughed a quality team on their home court. Possibly best defensive effort of the year. Liberty was frustrated by the Lady Raiders defensive tenacity all night. We played with grit without letting emotions take over. As game went along frustration started getting to Liberty because the MT defense was just too good. Boldyreva didn't have her best game, but she had some of her best play those last 3-4 minutes. Excellent rebounding & effort. Those 3 offensive rebounds & finishing with a layup was special. Even when our offense was not at its best tonight this was just a solid gutty win in which the Lady Raiders refused to lose.

 

[crassyblue]

I was extra proud of the hustle, defense and toughness. Liberty is a very good team.

 

[blue rai]

930 Saturday morning. Let’s Go , 16-0! that would be quite an accomplishment!

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[SpaceRaider]

Coach Insell was interviewed at the girls state on the Main Street Sports podcast...

 

[MTFAN61]

Good win over a team that's playing really well. They are much better than their record, I think I remember you guys saying their non-conference schedule was legit. I thought Liberty's broadcast was pretty dang good as well as their announcers.

Good point about the Liberty broadcast tandem. Did a very good job. Impartial & had some insightful comments on MT's strategy to victory.