Middle Tennessee women’s basketball (5-7) secured a tight 46-45 win over Wichita State University (3-10), for the Lady Raiders final non-conference matchup of the season.
MTSU struggled offensively in the first half, shooting 28.2% from the field and went 1-14 on three point shot attempts. The Lady Raiders trailed by one point at halftime, 20-19.
The third quarter saw an offensive shift, as Middle Tennessee shot 37.5% from the field. Sophomore guard Savannah Davis hit two consecutive three-pointers to extend the lead 25-20.
Freshman guard Blair Baugus scored on a second-chance point attempt, following a turnover by the Shockers. Baugus then made a turnaround jumper, while freshman Yu Han Lin scored a fast-break layup following another Wichita turnover, extending the Lady Raiders’ lead 33-25.
Baugus made two free throw attempts late in the third quarter, leading 35-27 going into the fourth.
MTSU’s pressuring defense and rebounding capped Wichita State’s scoring at seven points in the quarter.
“We kept their best players from touching the ball, and I’m happier about that than anything,” MTSU head coach Rick Insell said. “We got points in the paint, and [Savannah] Davis did touch the ball. Every time she got a look, she scored.”
At the 5:49 mark in the fourth quarter, Davis hit another three-point shot, giving Middle Tennessee its largest lead of the game, 45-33. The Shockers went on a 12-1 run over 4:21 to cut the lead down to 46-45.
With 38 seconds left in the game, MTSU freshman guard Macie Phifer blocked a jumper by Wichita State’s Jaida McDonald, locking down the win for the Lady Raiders.
Davis led the way with 10 points, while Baugus and Phifer had eight each. Baugus added a team-high 12 rebounds to the Lady Raiders team total of 40 boards.
Following the close win, MTSU will travel to Kennesaw State University (6-3) to start its Conference USA schedule after the new year, on Jan. 2, 2026. The Lady Raiders and Owls will tip off at 6:00 p.m. CDT in Kennesaw, Georgia.
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