'Jacks Fall to Blue Raiders in Tennessee

Sunday, December 17

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

6-4,2-0WAC

Middle Tennessee

9-3,0-0CUSA

SFA

Middle Tenn.

Photo by: Amanda Paver

'Jacks Fall to Blue Raiders in Tennessee

12/17/2023 3:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Amanda Paver, SFA Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (9-3, 0-0) defeated Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks (6-4, 2-0) 72-47 in the first of three matches in the Tri-Star State.

MTSU jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead off of a jumper and a three-pointer. Kurstyn Harden got the Ladyjacks on the board with a layup and a Tyler McCliment-Call layup cut the lead down to one, 5-4. The Lady Raiders hit back-to-back three-pointers to extend their lead to seven, 11-4. MTSU ended the quarter on a 10-4 run and ended the first with a 21-8 lead. The Lady Raiders started the second quarter on an 11-0 run to bring their lead up to 24. The Ladyjacks got into double figures after Trinity Moore made both of her free throw attempts. Halfway through the second quarter McCliment-Call and Avery VanSickle hit back-to-back three-pointers to cut the deficit down to 18. MTSU held a 25-point lead, 45-20 at halftime. The Lady Raiders continued to grow their lead in the third quarter, but the 'Jacks started to make a comeback at the end of the quarter with a five-point spurt and went into the fourth down 59-31. SFA turned in on in the fourth as they came out of the final quarter break and scored the first eight points of the quarter, 59-39. However, MTSU had an eight-point run of their own later in the quarter to bring their lead back up to 28. The Ladyjacks scored four points in the last 2:38 of the game with two free throws from Moore, a layup from Atalia Ballesteros, and a free throw from Mimi Gatewood.

Harden led the Ladyjacks offense with 11 points and seven rebounds, including her 500th career rebound. Kyla Deck followed Harden with nine points and led the team with five steals. Zoe Nelson scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds. McCliment-Call was all over the court on the offense and defensive sides as she scored seven points, recorded five rebounds and two blocks.

SFA will stay on the road in Tennessee and head to Clarksville to play Troy and Austin Peay in the Austin Peay Classic starting with Troy on December 20th at 3:30 p.m. central time.