Final: MTSU 48 Liberty 53

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – MTSU’s two-year run as Conference USA champions comes to an end in the title game. The Flames outrebounded the Lady Raiders 40-32 in the afternoon en route to their first CUSA championship.

Following the defeat, Middle Tennessee awaits an invite to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament.

MTSU stat leaders

Points: Ta’Mia Scott – 23

Rebounds: Ta’Mia Scott – 10

Assists: Courtney Blakely – 3

Liberty stat leaders

Points: Emma Hess – 14

Rebounds: Bella Smuda – 13

Assists: Emma Hess – 3

0:08 4Q: Emma Hess hits two free throws to give the Flames a 53-48 lead. Timeout Middle Tennessee.

0:09 4Q: Timeout Liberty. Jalynn Gregory’s left foot steps out of bounds, and the Flames will take over, leading 51-48.

0:12 4Q: Timeout Middle Tennessee. The Lady Raiders will have possession coming out of the break, trailing 51-48.

0:45 4Q: Timeout Middle Tennessee. After a potential dagger three by Emma Hess, MTSU’s Jalynn Gregory responds with one of her own. Liberty leads 51-48.

1:29 4Q: Timeout Liberty. The Flames’ lead stays at 48-45 after a missed layup from Anastasiia Boldyreva.

2:58 4Q: Anastasiia Boldyreva picks up her fourth foul.

3:22 4Q: Anastasiia Boldyreva hits one of two free throws to cut Liberty’s lead to 48-43.

4:04 4Q: Anastasiia Boldyreva hits one of two free throws to cut the Liberty lead to 46-42.

4:51 4Q: Timeout Middle Tennessee. Ta’Mia Scott cuts Liberty’s lead to 46-41. Scott leads all scorers with 23 points on the afternoon. Liberty is one of its last seven from the field, but the Lady Raiders have been unable to capitalize.

End 3Q: MTSU 37 Liberty 41

Middle Tennessee closes on a 7-0 run to cut into Liberty’s lead. Like last night, Ta’Mia Scott leads the way for the Lady Raiders, this time with 19 points so far.

0:55 3Q: Timeout Liberty. Flames’ head coach Carey Green spends a timeout to stop the bleeding. A 7-0 run over the last 1:40 from the Lady Raiders brings the score to 41-37.

1:40 3Q: Ta’Mia Scott converts a three-point play to cut the Liberty lead to 41-35.

3:06 3Q: Media timeout. Liberty holds its largest lead of the game at 38-30. Anastasiia Boldyreva picks up her third foul going into the break.

10:00 3Q: The second half is underway. Liberty ball leading 30-25.

Halftime: MTSU 25 Liberty 30

Asia Boone of Liberty hits a late three to put the Flames up by five heading into the break—another physical game in this tournament to this point.

MTSU stat leaders

Points: Ta’Mia Scott – 11

Rebounds: Anastasiia Boldyreva – 6

Assists: Courtney Blakely – 2

Liberty stat leaders

Points: Asia Boone – 9

Rebounds: Bella Smuda – 7

Assists: Jordan Hodges – 2

4:45 2Q: Media timeout. After a scoring drought of 5:40, Ta’Mia Scott put the Lady Raiders on a 5-0 run to take a 21-20 lead.

End 1Q: MTSU 16 Liberty 20

The Lady Raiders trail through one in Huntsville. Liberty’s offense has consistently applied pressure from beyond the arc, taking nine threes in the first quarter. Anastasiia Boldyreva leads Middle Tennessee in points with six.

5:00 1Q: Ta’Mia Scott gives the Lady Raiders the lead with one of two free throws. MTSU leads 9-8.

5:00 1Q: Media timeout. The score is tied 8-8. Ta’Mia Scott will get two free throws coming out of the break to try and give Middle Tennessee the lead.

5:52 1Q: Ta’Mia Scott hits one of two free throws. Score is tied 8-8.

8:33 1Q: Courtney Blakely opens the scoring with an MTSU three.

10:00 1Q: Liberty wins the tip, and the championship game is underway.