Lady Raiders Fall in Championship Game

Middle Tennessee vs Western Kentucky

Notes

LADY RAIDERS FALL IN FINALS: Middle Tennessee was runner-up in the Sun Belt Conference finals with an 86-83 loss to Western Kentucky. The Lady Raiders are now 18-12 and await a possible post-season bid.

HOLMES WOWS TOURNAMENT: Sophomore Patrice Holmes was named Most Outstanding Player at the 2003 Sun Belt Conference Championships. Holmes' 74 points she scored in the three tournament games breaks a Sun Belt Conference record previously held by Alabama-Birmingham's Jacque Nero in 1990.

STOVALL OUTSTANDING: Freshman Tia Stovall was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 18 points in three games. She becomes the first Lady Raider freshman to be named to an All-Tournament team since Jonelda Buck and Carlita Elder in 1996.

I LOVE TO STEAL: With two steals against Western Kentucky, Holmes becomes the all-time leader for steals in a season in the Lady Raider record books. Her 92 steals puts her one above former record holder Kim Webb who had 91 in the 1985-86 season. Webb set the mark as a sophomore, just like Holmes is now.

MAKING A RUN: Middle Tennessee went on a 21-8 run in the second half to tie the game at 58 with 10:57 to go on a pair of Eboni Kirby free throws. The Lady Raiders were down by 10 at the half, 44-34, and were down as much as 13 to start the second half prior to their run.

SMITH AND 18: The Lady Raiders 18 wins is the fourth time in head coach Stephany Smith's career she has amassed 18 wins in a season.

KIRBY LOVES WESTERN: Eboni Kirby's 19 points is the third time Kirby has scored in double figures against Western Kentucky. Earlier in the regular season she posted 18 and 15 points.

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