Story by Tyler Lamb / Sports Editor and Rusty Ellis / Assistant Sports Editor
After a dominating high school career at Riverdale that saw her hoist three gold TSSAA championship trophies, Ty Petty made the decision to continue her athletic career at Middle Tennessee State University. Coming in as freshman, Petty doned the number 20 in honor of the late Lady Raider Tina Stewart.
In the past few years, Petty has awed fans of Blue Raider nation with her abilities to lead like few before her and like those after her will only aspire to. Petty has been a part of two C-USA Championship teams, one of which she was named MVP of the tournament (2016).
On Sunday night, Petty laced up one final time as over 3,500 fans gathered to watch history unfold. The point-guard led her team to a dominating 87-56 victory over UAB, scoring nine points and dishing 12 assists.
While she was one of the best on the court, Petty will most be remembered for the impact she had on the Murfreesboro community in her time at both Riverdale and MTSU.
Relive her final game at the “Glass House” with Devin P. Grimes’ photo gallery below:
A crowd of 3,505 gathered on Sunday, 26, 2017 to watch Ty Petty play in her final game at Murphy Center. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty drives baseline on a UAB defender on Sunday, 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty finished with a team-high three steals in the Lady Raider win over UAB on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty managing the offense in a game against UAB on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty looking for the open player during Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty accounted for three rebounds in the Lady Raiders win over win over UAB on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Ty Petty played all but the last three minutes of the game in Sunday win over UAB on Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Ty Petty went 5-of-5 from the free throw line in MTSU’s route over UAB on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
The senior set a season-high in assists, racking up a total of 12 in MTSU’s win over UAB on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty set to throw the ball in after halftime against UAB on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Murfreesboro natives Alex Johnson and Ty Petty relax on a free throw during Sunday win over UAB on Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty scored nine points in Sunday win over UAB on Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Ty Petty was joined by many members of her family during her senior day on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Ty Petty and Rick Insell embrace during the senior day ceremony on Sunday, 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Ty Petty accompanied by her family, coach Insell, Associate Athletic Director Diane Turnham, and President Sidney McPhee during the senior day ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
As tradition, fans stayed late and greeted with Petty, one-by-one after the UAB win on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
Petty received a framed number 20 jersey as a part of her senior day on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Devin P. Grimes/MTSU Sidelines)
