Two-game road swing begins Saturday

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Middle Tennessee women’s basketball will hit the road for a two-game road trip, starting at 12:30 p.m. Central Saturday, when it travels to Johnson City, Tenn., to face ETSU. The Blue Raiders will conclude the swing by playing No. 6/7 Tennessee Tuesday in a regionally-televised contest.

Middle Tennessee owns a 3-2 record entering Saturday’s game after knocking off Tennessee Tech at home Wednesday, 74-55. Sophomore Ebony Rowe netted a game-high 20 points, while junior Kortni Jones hit four 3-pointers among her 15 points to give MT a pair in double-figure scoring.

The Blue Raider defense was in full effect, as well, as it forced 33 Golden Eagle turnovers and turning them into 37 points.

Jones and Rowe lead the squad in scoring, averaging 15.0 and 14.8 points per game, respectively, with junior Icelyn Elie providing 13.8 ppg for a trio in double digits. Rowe is the team’s top rebounder with 9.6 per game, ahead of Elie’s 8.2 average.

ETSU is 0-4 coming into the tilt, having most recently dropped an 89-65 decision at Appalachian State Monday. The Lady Bucs, coached by Karen Kemp, have just one player in double-figure scoring, as Natalie Pickwell tops the team with 10.8 points per game.

The two teams met last season in Murfreesboro, the 20th overall match up, with Middle Tennessee claiming an 87-71 victory. The win improved the Blue Raiders’ all-time series record to 17-3 against ETSU and it was the first time the two teams squared off under head coach Rick Insell’s watch.

Saturday’s game will be broadcast on the Blue Raider Network, including WMOT (89.5 FM) and WGNS (1450 AM, 100.5 FM and 101.9 FM) with Dick Palmer handling play-by-play duties.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.