Blue Raiders return home to close out pre-holiday slate

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee women's basketball team will return to the friendly confines of the Murphy Center for a three-game stretch, beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday against Alabama live on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS).

"It's a big game for us," said head coach Rick Insell. "It gives us another quality opponent to play against. We get to play at home in front of our fans. Alabama is a much improved team, which is very athletic. They are well coached, run the floor well and aggressive on defense. It's going to be a good game."

The Blue Raiders will be looking to snap a three-game losing skid against their third SEC opponent of the season. Middle Tennessee has already defeated LSU and faced Tennessee this season.

Junior Alysha Clark continues to pace the Lady Raiders with 22.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg, including a 28-point, eight-rebound outing Thursday against the Lady Vols.

Tierney Jenkins leads a balanced Crimson Tide offense with 10.0 ppg and 6.4 rpg. Katie Hancock also is averaging 6.4 rebounds per contest for Wendell Hudson's squad. Alabama enters the game wit ha 6-2 record and winners of three straight.

The game will be the first of three Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS) contests this season for Middle Tennessee. Paul Crane will be on play-by-play and Joe Ciampi will handle color commentary for Sunday's tip on the network.

Fans and others planning to attend the game are reminded of a modification in the usual parking procedures Sunday due to the city of Murfreesboro's "Middle Tennessee Christmas" parade. The Greenland Drive and Bell Street lots will be closed until approximately 3 p.m. Those coming to the game are encouraged to enter campus via the Rutherford Drive entrance to access these lots after 3 p.m.

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