LAS VEGAS – Missouri State women’s basketball fell to 2-3 following a 79-54 loss to Middle Tennessee to close out the Las Vegas Invitational on Saturday afternoon.
The Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee took advantage of Missouri State turnovers today and controlled the paint. MTSU (3-2) scored 24 points off 19 MSU turnovers in a 25-point contest, while also outscoring the Lady Bears 30-20 in the paint.
Missouri State took its only lead of the day at the 8:42 mark of the first quarter following buckets from Indya Green and Kennedy Taylor to go up 4-2 on MTSU. From there, the Lady Bears stayed within striking distance, trailing 18-10 after a period.
Following a Middle Tennessee three to begin the second quarter, MSU cut the deficit to four points courtesy of a Sydney Wilson triple and four points from Paige Rocca. However, that would be the closest the Lady Bears would close the gap for the remainder of the game as MTSU’s Savannah Wheeler scored nine of her game-high 24 points in the second period to give the Blue Raiders a 39-26 advantage at the half.
The second half saw more of the same as MTSU continued to be the aggressors, outscoring MSU 40-28 across the final two quarters and holding the Lady Bears to 29 percent from the field (9-for-31).
Isabelle Delarue and Wilson each hit from deep at the beginning of the third to cut the deficit back to 13 points each time, but the Blue Raiders continued to respond with numerous small runs of their own. Taylor led the way for the Lady Bears offensively in the third period, scoring five points while also grabbing two rebounds.
An 8-0 run midway through the final quarter would give MTSU its largest lead over Missouri State at 29 points. As both teams entered the bonus and swapped baskets and trips to the free throw line with the game coming to a close, MSU ultimately suffered a 79-54 setback.
Paige Rocca was Missouri State’s leading scorer with nine points on the afternoon. Delaure and Wilson each contributed eight points, while Taylor turned in a seven-point, seven-rebound performance. Collectively, MSU scored 16 second-chance points and got 21 points from its bench.
Missouri State will be back in action on Sunday, Dec. 4 as the Lady Bears travel to Toledo. First tip is set for 12 p.m. CT.
