Middle Tennessee women's basketball did not trail Texas Tech for 38 minutes, but an 8-0 Red Raider run to close the game sank the Blue Raiders 67-72 Friday at the Mirage.
MTSU (2-2) started hot beyond the arc, making five of its first nine 3-point attempts in the game's opening frame, to take a 22-13 lead after one. Texas Tech (4-1) came as close as a point in the second quarter but the Blue Raiders held a 35-29 advantage at halftime.
Eleven points by Kseniya Malashka in the third quarter helped MTSU take its largest lead of the day at 12 at the four minute mark, but a cold fourth quarter offensively and 11 free throws in 12 attempts by Texas Tech opened the door for the Red Raiders to grab the lead for the final 1:28.
Malashka led all scorers with 19 points, while adding seven rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals. Alexis Whittington and Savannah Wheeler each finished with 12 points. Courtney Whitson and Jalynn Gregory added 14 and seven rebounds, respectively.
By the Numbers
6: career games where Courtney Whitson has 13-plus rebounds. Her career high was 19 vs. Florida Atlantic Jan. 1, 2021.
11: straight double figure scoring games for Kseniya Malashka. In addition, the redshirt senior is averaging 18.6 points per game since joining the starting lineup Nov. 12.
77-63: Middle Tennessee's record in in-season tournaments.
Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Insell
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