Red-hot Blue Raiders return home to welcome Red Wolves

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee women’s basketball team will return to the friendly confines of the historic Murphy Center for a 7 p.m. Wednesday tip against Arkansas State. The Blue Raiders have won their last eight games to remain as the lone unbeaten in Sun Belt action at 6-0 and improve their overall mark to 14-5, having not lost in over a month.

Most recently, Middle Tennessee completed a road sweep of the two Florida schools – FIU and Florida Atlantic – last week, for the first time since 2010. The swing began with a 74-60 triumph over the Panthers Thursday and concluded with a 55-37 victory against the Owls Saturday.

Three Blue Raiders continue to average double-figure points, led by sophomore Ebony Rowe’s 16.7 per game. Juniors Kortni Jones (15.7) and Icelyn Elie (12.8) are also above the threshold. Rowe and Elie are the top-two rebounders with averages of 9.6 and 7.7, respectively.

Arkansas State brings a 7-11 overall and 1-4 SBC ledger into Wednesday’s meeting under 13th-year head coach Brian Boyer. The Red Wolves dropped a 64-57 decision to in-state foe UALR at home Saturday, snapping a two-game win streak.

Jane Morrill paces the squad with 16.7 points per game, while Shania Hurst is next with 12.4 ppg. The pair is also the top producers on the glass, with Morrill hauling in 6.2 rebounds per game to Hurst’s 5.4.

Middle Tennessee holds a 15-6 all-time lead in the series, dating back to 1990; however, Arkansas State won the last game between the two programs, a 77-62 victory in the Sun Belt Tournament Quarterfinals last March in Hot Springs, Ark. It marked just the second conference tournament defeat for the Blue Raiders under head coach Rick Insell.

< p>In the regular-season meeting last year, Middle Tennessee held on for a 57-52 win in Jonesboro, Ark., Jan. 16, 2011. The two teams last played in Murfreesboro Jan. 21, 2009, with the Blue Raiders prevailing 91-51.

Dick Palmer and Duane Hickey will call all the action on the Blue Raider Network of WMOT (89.5 FM) and WGNS (1450 AM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM).

In addition, 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament booklets are now on sale at the Middle Tennessee athletic ticket office. Cost per booklet is $83 and includes a ticket to all eight sessions of the Sun Belt Championships, March 3-6, in Hot Springs, Ark. Fans can purchase booklets by calling 1-888-YES-MTSU or visiting goblueraiders.com.

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