Photo by Austin Lewis // Sidelines Archive
Middle Tennessee (11-7, 5-2 C-USA) traveled to Houston to take on the Rice Owls (3-15, 2-5 C-USA) as they continued conference play. Saturday’s game proved to be the total opposite of the Thursday’s blowout win, as it came down to the final seconds, with the Blue Raiders holding on to win 61-60.
Freshman standout Alex Johnson scored a career-high 25 points in the win. Johnson also added another career high with 13 free throws. Brea Edwards continued to be one of the team’s premiere guards. The senior recorded 20 points, with 10 of her points coming in the fourth quarter. Edwards also buried the game-clinching 3-pointer to put the Blue Raiders ahead with six seconds left to play.
Middle Tennessee continued their stellar defensive play in this matchup. As a unit, they forced 20 turnovers and grabbed 11 steals, while edging the Owls in rebounds 31-24.
As a team, MT will have to look to get their second unit going next game, as they failed to score a single point off the bench.
This marks the Blue Raiders’ third straight road victory. Middle Tennessee will return home on Thursday to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd (12-5, 2-4 C-USA) at 6:30 p.m.
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