MTSU women’s basketball defeats St. Bonaventure in WNIT second round

The Lady Raiders took down the Bonnies to move on to the WNIT’s ‘Super 16’.

Brett Walker, Managing editor • March 23, 2026

MTSU’s Kirston Verhulst shoots a three-pointer in warmups before a second round WNIT tournament against St. Bonaventure on March 23, 2026.

Check for Updates

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 8:18 pm

Final | MTSU 69 St. Bonaventure 50

MTSU takes down St. Bonaventure in the WNIT’s second round. The Lady Raiders will face Cleveland State University in the “Super 16” at the Murphy Center on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

MTSU stat leaders

Points: Blair Baugus, 20
Rebounds: Blair Baugus, 14
Assists: Kirston Verhulst, 14

St. Bonaventure stat leaders

Points: Laycee Drake, 14
Rebounds: Laycee Drake, 6
Assists: Laycee Drake, 3

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 8:13 pm

Q4 2:31 | MTSU 67 St. Bonaventure 50

St. Bonaventure spends a timeout with MTSU in full control late in this one. Middle Tennessee’s Blair Baugus has her 15th double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds so far.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 8:02 pm

Q4 7:17 | MTSU 58 St. Bonaventure 45

Bonnies head coach Jim Crowley spends a timeout with his team down by 13.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 7:59 pm

Q4 8:51 | MTSU 56 St. Bonaventure 43

Referees give Aaliyah Parker a technical, sending the graduate guard to the bench for the Bonnies. MTSU makes both free throws.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 7:53 pm

End Q3 | MTSU 54 St. Bonaventure 43

The Murphy Center crowd erupts as Savannah Davis drains a three-pointer with time expiring in the third quarter. Davis is up to 14 points.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 7:49 pm

Q3 0:09 | MTSU 51 St. Bonaventure 43

An MTSU shooting slump is keeping the game within reach for St. Bonaventure. The Lady Raiders haven’t converted from the field in over six minutes and are just one of their last 10.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 7:38 pm

Q3 4:15 | MTSU 46 St. Bonaventure 38

A 7-0 Bonnies run has them within reach midway through the third quarter. St. Bonaventure has converted four of its last five from the field. Laycee Drake leads the team with 11 points.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 7:12 pm

Halftime | MTSU 39 St. Bonaventure 27

Blair Baugus makes a layup as time winds down to extend MTSU’s lead before the half. Baugus and Savannah Davis lead the Lady Raiders with 11 points each.

MTSU stat leaders

Points: Blair Baugus and Savannah Davis, 11
Rebounds: Blair Baugus, 7
Assists: Kirston Verhulst, 4

St. Bonaventure stat leaders

Points: Kaylee Krysztof, 9
Rebounds: Kaylee Krysztof, 5
Assists: Laycee Drake, 3

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 6:51 pm

Q2 4:04 | MTSU 29 St. Bonaventure 20

St. Bonaventure goes on an 8-0 run, but MTSU responds with a 9-0 run of its own, fueled by two Savannah Davis threes. A Kirston Verhulst foul will send the Bonnies to the line after the media break.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 6:38 pm

Q1 6:15 | MTSU 11 St. Bonaventure 0

The Lady Raider crowd is still standing for defense through nearly four minutes in this one. St. Bonaventure is 0-for-3 from the field.

Updated

Mar 23, 2026, 6:30 pm

Starting lineups

MTSU

Alayna Contreras, guard
Carsyn Swaney, guard
Kirston Verhulst, guard
Blair Baugus, guard
Macie Phifer, guard

St. Bonaventure

Mackenzie Pettinelli, guard
Aaliyah Parker, guard
Laycee Drake, guard
Elyse Macdonough, guard
Gabby Robinson, forward

MTSU women’s basketball (16-15) is set to host St. Bonaventure University (17-15) in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament second round on Monday at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

Middle Tennessee accepted a bid to the WNIT after falling to the eventual Conference USA champion, Missouri State University, in the CUSA quarterfinals on March 12.

The Bonnies advanced to the WNIT’s second round after defeating Drexel University, 69-67 in overtime on March 19. St. Bonaventure’s conference tournament stint ended in a 61-59 defeat versus Loyola University Chicago in the Atlantic 10 Championship.

March to a championship starts now🏆

The WNIT bracket is here, and the road is set. Time to chase every moment, every win, and every step toward the title.https://t.co/rpdx2fWjlY pic.twitter.com/cRWALfMKVH

— WNIT (@WomensNIT) March 16, 2026

Following MTSU’s run in the WNIT, longtime head coach Rick Insell will retire after 21 seasons. Insell, the winningest coach in basketball program history, will hand over the reins to his son Matt Insell following the conclusion of the Lady Raiders’ 2025-26 campaign.

MTSU will formally introduce Matt Insell in a press conference at the Blue Raider Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday at 11 a.m. CDT.

To contact the sports editor, email [email protected].

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About the Contributors

Brett Walker, Managing Editor

I lead sports coverage for MTSU Sidelines. I’m the biggest football fan you’ll ever meet, even though I played tennis in high school. In my free time, you can catch me with my family, going to church or losing to my friends in Madden.

Ephraim Rodenbach, Co-Sports Editor

I am a junior graduating in fall 2027 with a degree in sports journalism with a double minor in mass communication and sports management. I’m the biggest Diego Pavia fan you’ll ever meet and an extremely passionate Nashville Predators fan. During my free time, I enjoy taking pictures, cooking, working out and hiking!