HOUSTON, TX - Middle Tennessee women's basketball (2-3) fell to host Houston (5-0) 80-56 Sunday in the in the final game of the Houston Classic at Holfheinz Arena. The Lady Raiders had no answer for Houston standout Sancho Lyttle who had 19 points in the contest and shot 8-of-15 from the field. Middle Tennessee also suffered from missed baskets, at key times, shooting 43.4 percent. The Lady Raiders also lost the rebounding advantage as Houston pulled down 39, 21 being defensive, to Middle Tennessee's 28.
The Lady Raiders gave Houston a run for the Cougars money early in the first half, tying the game at eight off a three-point bucket by Patrice Holmes and then tied it up again at 10 from a field goal by Holmes. Middle Tennessee took the only lead of the game when Givens hit one of two free throws to make the score 11-10.
Houston went on a 16-0 run in an eight minute span in which the Lady Raiders couldn't buy a bucket and the game was out of reach from then. Middle Tennessee finally broke the scoring drought when Holmes hit a bucket at the 6:45 mark, but the deficit was too great for the youthful Lady Raider squad to climb back from.
Holmes led the Lady Raiders with 17 points. Junior Tia Stovall added 14 points, which is the fourth time in five games she has scored in double figures.
Middle Tennessee continues its road swing as the Lady Raiders travel to Atlanta, Georgia to take on Georgia State on Thursday December 2. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
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