Blue Raiders begin road trip Wednesday

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee women's basketball will hit the road for two games this week, beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Jonesboro, Ark., against Arkansas State. The Blue Raiders will then conclude the two-game swing at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Little Rock, Ark., against UALR.

Arkansas State brings a 6-8, 1-2 Sun Belt record into Wednesday's meeting. The Red Wolves, led by coach Brian Boyer, have won four of their last six, including a league victory over North Texas in their last outing. Ebonie Jefferson is one of three players to average in double figures, as she paces the squad with 16.2 ppg. Shania Hurst (12.1 ppg) and Sherina Scott (10.4 ppg) also are in double digits.

UALR, who Middle Tennessee knocked off in last season's Sun Belt Championship game, brings a 10-5, 3-1 Sun Belt mark to Saturday's contest. The Trojans, under the direction of head coach Joe Foley, have won five in a row, including three-straight conference tilts after dropping their opener at South Alabama. Chastity Reed leads the league with a 24.3 ppg mark and is sixth with 8.4 rpg, both team highs. She is joined in double-figure scoring by Kim Sitzmann and her 11.0 ppg.

The Blue Raiders control both series records, owning a 13-5 ledger against Arkansas State and a 14-3 mark against UALR. Middle Tennessee swept the combined three games the two teams played a year ago.

MT will carry an 8-4, 3-0 Sun Belt record into the week. The Blue Raiders, winners of four straight, are led by All-American Alysha Clark and her 23.7 ppg and 11.7 rpg. Fellow seniors Jackie Pickel and Brandi Brown also average double figures with 12.4 ppg and 11.9 ppg, respectively.

Fellow senior Chelsia Lymon was named recently as one of 12 Players Making the Buzz for The Nancy Lieberman Award.

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