Middle Tennessee (15-7, 9-2 C-USA) traveled to Miami to take on Florida International (3-19, 1-10 C-USA) on Saturday, cruising past the Golden Panthers 85-62.
This game was not as lopsided as it may appear from the final score. Florida International led after the first quarter, but the Blue Raiders buckled down and put on a defensive clinic.
They held the Golden Panthers to eight points in the second quarter and nine points in the fourth. Middle Tennessee grabbed ten steals and forced 18 turnovers.
The Blue Raiders’ offense was clicking throughout the game as they scored 20-plus points in all four quarters while four players put up double-figures.
Freshman forward Alex Johnson scored 17 points on 70 percent shooting, and sophomore guard Abbey Sissom chipped in 16 points on 60 percent shooting, including three, three-pointers.
Junior guard Ty Petty scored 11 points to go along with eight assists. Rebecca Reuter was the star of the day for the Blue Raiders, as the sophomore forward recorded a double-double. She scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
The Blue Raiders had their way inside with the Golden Panthers. They won the battle on the boards 36-24 while outscoring them in the paint 44-18.
Middle Tennessee will return home Feb. 11 to take on Louisiana Tech (11-9, 6-3 C-USA). Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcasted locally on MT10.
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To contact Sports Editor Connor Ulrey, email sports@mtsusidelines.com.
