MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee women’s basketball returns to the friendly confines of the historic Murphy Center for its only game this week, a 7 p.m. Wednesday tip against East Division foe Troy.
The Blue Raiders have won 10 straight entering the matchup following Saturday’s 60-53 triumph at South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. The current win streak has enabled Middle Tennessee to remain the lone unbeaten in Sun Belt action, with an 8-0 mark, and extended its overall record to 16-5.
Sophomore Ebony Rowe has been named the Sun Belt Player of the Week for the third time this season, and seventh of her career, after averaging 23.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in last week’s wins over Arkansas State and South Alabama. Her seven career honors are tied for second among all-time Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee carries a 57-1 home conference record during head coach Rick Insell’s seven seasons into Wednesday’s meeting with the Trojans. The Blue Raiders have won their last 33 at home against league foes since the only setback in February 2008.
Troy, despite its 1-17 overall and 0-7 Sun Belt ledgers, gave Middle Tennessee its toughest game of the season thus far. In the earlier meeting between the two programs, the Blue Raiders had to go to overtime to pull out a 72-66 triumph against the Trojans in Troy, Ala., Jan. 5.
DeAngela Sword paces Troy with 12.5 points per game, while Tenia Manuel grabs a team-best 6.7 rebounds per outing for head coach Michael Murphy’s squad.
Middle Tennessee leads the all-time series 15-0, including a 13-0 mark under Insell’s watch.
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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