Blue Raiders Suffer Defeat to Southern Indiana in 76-59 Loss

Middle Tennessee’s women’s basketball team faced a challenging outing on December 10, 2023, falling to Southern Indiana with a final score of 76-59 at Liberty Arena in Evansville, Indiana. The defeat brings the Blue Raiders’ record to 4-6, while Southern Indiana improves to 6-2.

The game began positively for Middle Tennessee, who took an early lead thanks to a three-point play by Yu Han Lin. However, the momentum shifted in the first quarter when Southern Indiana began to dominate offensively. Despite contributions from Blair Baugus and Macie Phifer, who each added points to the Blue Raiders’ score, the quarter concluded with Southern Indiana in the lead, 19-7.

In the second quarter, Middle Tennessee exhibited a strong performance on the boards, nearly doubling Southern Indiana’s rebounds. Baugus was particularly effective during this period, scoring five points and securing three rebounds. The Blue Raiders managed to score 18 points, but Southern Indiana maintained their advantage with 21 points, leading to a halftime score of 40-25.

The third quarter saw Middle Tennessee continue to out-rebound their opponents, with Phifer leading the effort with five rebounds while also contributing 10 points. Despite improved shooting from three-point range, the Blue Raiders faced a significant challenge, entering the final quarter down by 21 points.

In the fourth quarter, Middle Tennessee outscored Southern Indiana 17-13, but the late rally was not enough to close the gap. The game ended with the Blue Raiders succumbing to the Screaming Eagles, 76-59.

Phifer stood out as a key player for Middle Tennessee, achieving career-highs with 20 points and 10 rebounds, marking her first career double-double. Baugus also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, her fifth of the season.

The matchup highlights significant milestones for the Blue Raiders. With this performance, Phifer becomes the second player on the team to register a double-double this season, while Baugus has now achieved double-figure rebounds in six games.

Looking ahead, Middle Tennessee will return home to face Auburn on December 16, 2023. The game is scheduled to tip off at 18:30 CT and will be broadcast on the Blue Raider Network, with streaming available on ESPN+.

Fans can follow the Blue Raiders Women’s Basketball team on social media platforms including Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram to stay updated on their season progress and upcoming games.