Conference USA announced its yearly awards on Monday, with five MTSU players making the list, three from the women’s team and two from the men’s team.
Blair Baugus
CUSA named Lady Raider Blair Baugus the 2025-2026 Conference USA freshman of the year, leading all CUSA players in statistical categories.
The freshman guard averaged 13 points and nine rebounds, shooting 44.7% from the field and 37% from three-point range on the season. Baugus ranked second among other CUSA members in rebounds per game and contributed with 13 double-doubles.
In a team high 34.6 minutes per contest, Baugus had 19 double-digit scoring games and averaged two steals per game. Baugus earned CUSA freshman of the week eight times.
Additionally, the Waynesboro, Tennessee native was selected to the all-CUSA and all-freshman team.
Macie Phifer
Lady Raider Macie Phifer earned all-CUSA and all-freshman team honors, showcasing a strong debut in her Middle Tennessee career.
The freshman forward averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and one steal per game in 34.3 minutes of action. Phifer shot 44% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc, with a career-high 22 points against the University of Delaware. She was also named the Conference USA freshman of the week three times throughout the season.
Phifer ranked 18th among league leaders in points per game and 19th in rebounds per game.
Alayna Contreras
Lady Raider Alayna Contreras earned second-team all-CUSA recognition after leading the Lady Raiders in conference play.
The senior guard averaged 14.2 points on a career-high 38.7% from the field and 37.7% from three-point territory. Contreras played in all 30 contests and notched 18 double-digit point games. The Minneapolis native was awarded the CUSA player of the week twice throughout her senior season.
Contreras scored her season-high 31 points on Veterans Day in the final regular-season game against Missouri State University.
Torey Alston
CUSA selected Blue Raider Torey Alston to the All-CUSA third team, taking a major step from his previous season.
The sophomore forward averaged 13.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game on 55.4% shooting from the field. Alston played in all 31 regular-season games and averaged 29.1 minutes of action per contest. He also put up double-digit numbers in four of MTSU’s five-game winning streak to end the regular season.
The Blue Raider logged his career high 26 points on 57.1% efficiency in a 90-87 win against Murray State.
Kamari Lands
Blue Raider Kamari Lands was called to the All-CUSA honorable mentions list, averaging a career-high in every statistical category.
The senior guard averaged 13.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and one steal per contest, shooting 40.8% from the field and 32.8% from three-point range. Lands played in all 31 regular-season contests, leading the team in overall minutes, at 912.
Lands scored a career-high 25 points in a loss against “100 Miles of Hate” opponent Western Kentucky, 65-60 on Jan. 31.
The No. 3 Lady Raiders (16-14, 11-7 CUSA) will tip off against No. 6 Missouri State University (19-12, 11-7), while the No. 5 Blue Raiders (17-14, 11-9 CUSA) face off against No. 4 Louisiana State (18-13, 11-9) at 2:00 p.m. CDT. Both contests will take place at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
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