Posted: Nov 21, 2021
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE – When it comes to the series between the Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee women's basketball teams, the word battle comes to mind.
The series, which has been in play nearly every season of the two program's existence, continues Monday night as the Golden Eagles host the Blue Raiders.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Eblen Center. Dylan Vazzano and Michael Cooper will handle the broadcast duties on ESPN+ (subscription required), while Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will broadcast the game on 106.1 The Eagle.
Tennessee Tech leads the all-time series against Middle Tennessee 55-45, but the Blue Raiders have won 14 of the last 15 meetings. That lone MTSU loss, however, came in the last meeting in the Hooper Eblen Center in 2018 as the Golden Eagles won 68-64.
In that contest, Akia Harris led the way with 15 points, Lacy Cantrell with 14 and Jordan Brock with 13 as Tech shot 22-for-46 from the field and 18-for-22 from the line. Anacia Wilkinson had six blocks in the contest as the Golden Eagles' slowed down Middle Tennessee's offense, which was 23-for-61 from the floor and 14-for-17 at the line.
A'Queen Hayes led the Blue Raiders with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Alex Johnson had 12 points and Anna Jones – now a member of the Golden Eagle lineup – had 10 points and seven boards.
This year's Blue Raider squad enters Monday's contest with a 3-0 record, defeating East Carolina 70-49, VCU 54-46 and Vanderbilt 55-46. As a team, Middle Tennessee is averaging 59.7 points a game and allowing 47. The team is shooting .370 from the field, .337 from 3-point range and .737 from the charity stripe.
Three players are currently averaging double-figure scoring for the Blue Raiders, led by Kseniya Malashka with 17 points and 6.0 rebounds a game. Dor Saar is averaging 16 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Courtney Whitson is averaging 15.7 points and five boards a night. Alexis Whittington leads Middle Tennessee with 7.7 rebounds
Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles enter Monday with a 2-1 record, defeating Bethel 85-46 and Chattanooga 85-58 at home, before taking a loss at Vanderbilt, 75-55 last Thursday. Tech is currently averaging 75 points a game and allowing an average of 59.7.
From the field, Tech is shooting .480, .345 from beyond the arc and .736 at the line.
Jones stands as the Golden Eagles' leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 15.7 points and 9.3 rebounds. Jones had 24 points against the Commodores, just shy of her career-high of 30, but setting a new best while wearing the Purple and Gold.
Anna Walker is also averaging double-figure scoring with 11.0 points, while Maaliya Owens (9.7 ppg), Jada Guinn (9.3 ppg) and Mackenzie Coleman (9.0 ppg) are close to joining the double-digit club.
Tickets for Monday's contest – as well as season tickets for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign – are on sale now. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
