Lady Raiders Drop First Sun Belt Game

MOBILE, Ala. - Middle Tennessee women's basketball (9-7, 3-1 SBC) dropped its first Sun Belt Conference game of the year in the Lady Raiders opening road game 72-58 against South Alabama (10-6, 2-2 SBC) Thursday in the Mitchell Center.

South Alabama held Middle Tennessee's leading scorer Patrice Holmes scoreless in the first half for the first time this season. Holmes had to sit out the final seven minutes of the half with two fouls and got all of her 14 points in the second half. Seniors Paula Penttila and Mia Parviainen added 12 and 11 respectively.

Middle Tennessee took the lead for the first time since 2-0 on a Holmes three-point bucket with 17:10 to play in the game. Russell answered with a trey of her own to tie the game 34 all. The Lady Raiders led 38-34 at the 15-minute mark, but then South Alabama proceeded to go on a 14-0 run that included three treys and the Lady Raiders could never recover.

South Alabama hit nine three-point shots in the game with seven coming in the second half. Taneisha Russell three of the treys and ended the game with 17 points.

Overall the Lady Raiders shot a frosty 32 percent from the field and hit only 9-out of-15 free throws. South Alabama shot 53 percent from the field and 52 percent from the three-point line.

"This is a disappointing night for us," said head coach Stephany Smith. "We are way too talented of a basketball game to shoot 32 percent."

Middle Tennessee continues its road swing as the Lady Raiders travel to New Orleans, La. to take on UNO. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.

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