WKU (17-6, 11-3) led by 7 points at the 11-minute mark of the
first half. The Lady Raiders chipped away at the lead with the help of LaToya
Barclay, who came off the bench for the injured Chelsia Lymon. Barclay promptly
stole the ball and hit a lay-up just 3 seconds after coming in.
" LaToya was prepared coming off of the bench. The steal and
lay-up may have been what the game hinged on," said MT Head Coach Rick
Insell.
Middle took a one-point lead into the locker room at the half, and
fell behind early in the second half after a 3-pointer by Western
freshman Kenzie Rich. However, WKU never led after MTSU's Krystle Horton
tied the game with a lay-up at the 19:25 mark of the second half. The Lady
Raiders expanded the lead to 20 and cruised to victory.
The Lady Raiders shot a sizzling 59% in the second stanza from the field and shot
85% (23-of-27) for the game from the charity stripe. Middle Tennessee secured
its first Sun Belt regular season championship with the win before 4,492
fans, many who wore blue and drove from Murfreesboro (TN) and Shelbyville
(TN). MT won for the first time since 2001 in the regular season in Bowling Green and moved up two spots to #17 in the latest AP women's
poll, released on Monday.
"Our fans were very, very loud. I cannot say 'thank you' enough,"
said Insell.
"I wish that all of those fans could come to our coach's radio
show on Monday, so that I could personally shake each and every one of their
hands. One Western usher told me that this was the largest ever women's opposing
crowd at Diddle."
All-America candidate and www.BlueRaiderZone.com Player of the
Game Chrissy Givens played all 40 minutes, recording a double/double with 22
points and 12 rebounds. Givens also dished out 7 assists.
"What can you say about Chrissy," noted Insell, "and what a great
game and atmosphere. Our kids just came and played their hearts out. I'm just so
proud to be from Middle Tennessee."
Horton, a senior from Murfreesboro, scored all 13 of her points in
the second half. She added 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
"We just had to keep our focus," said Horton. "Western Kentucky
has a lot of fans backing them and a great atmosphere. We could not get caught
up in that, though. We fought hard to come back and win this one"
Duluth's (GA) Amber Holt scored a game high 24 points with 18 of
those coming in the first half, keeping the Lady Raiders within striking
distance. Starr Orr also finished in double figures with 10.
Senior point guard Tifany Zaragoza's 22 points led the Lady
Toppers. Preseason First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Crystal Kelly
added 14 points before fouling out, while Dominique Duck netted 12. WKU was
plagued by 20 turnovers, resulting in 22 Middle Tennessee points.
"I want to give credit to Western Kentucky," said Insell.
"They have a great program and we'll probably meet them again in the Sun Belt
Tournament."
The Lady Raiders entertain Florida International University (15-9,
9-5) on Thursday, February 15th at 5:30 PM. WKU hosts Florida Atlantic
University on Thursday.