Blue Raiders Suffer Defeat to Southern Indiana, 76-59

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Middle Tennessee’s women’s basketball team faced a challenging match against Southern Indiana on December 3, 2023, falling 76-59 at Liberty Arena. The Blue Raiders, now holding a record of 4-6, started strong with a three-point play from Yu Han Lin. They maintained their lead until just past the halfway mark of the first quarter, when Southern Indiana began to pull ahead.

The first quarter concluded with Southern Indiana leading 19-7, despite contributions from Blair Baugus and Macie Phifer, who each added two points. The second quarter saw a determined response from Middle Tennessee as they nearly doubled Southern Indiana in rebounds. Baugus led the Blue Raiders during this period, scoring five points and securing three rebounds. Nonetheless, the team managed only 18 points compared to Southern Indiana’s 21, bringing the halftime score to 40-25.

As the game progressed, Middle Tennessee continued to out-rebound Southern Indiana in the third quarter. Phifer emerged as a key player, contributing ten points and leading with five rebounds. Despite improved shooting from beyond the arc, the Blue Raiders entered the final quarter facing a significant 21-point deficit.

The final quarter saw Middle Tennessee score 17 points compared to Southern Indiana’s 13; however, it was not enough to close the gap. The game concluded with a 76-59 loss for the Blue Raiders. Phifer highlighted the match with a career-high performance, recording her first double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Baugus also made a notable contribution, achieving her fifth career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

By the Numbers:
– 2: Macie Phifer becomes the second Blue Raider this season to achieve a double-double.
– 6: This marks Baugus’ sixth game this season with double-figure rebounds.

Looking ahead, the Blue Raiders will return home to host Auburn on Tuesday, December 16, 2023. The tip-off is scheduled for 18:30 CT and will be broadcast on the Blue Raider Network, with streaming available on ESPN+.

Fans can keep up with Middle Tennessee Women’s Basketball through their social media channels on Facebook (/MTSUWBB), X (formerly known as Twitter) (@MT_WBB), and Instagram (@mt_wbb).