Justice Scores Career High in Lady Raider's 75-63 Win Over ULL

LAFAYETTE, La. - Sophomore forward Jennifer Justice scored a career high 19 points as the Middle Tennessee Lady Raiders (9-7, 2-2 Sun Belt) defeated Louisiana-Lafayette (5-11, 1-5 Sun Belt) 75-63 in Earl K. Long Gym Saturday.

Justice got her first start since December 29 against New Orleans, and made the best of it. She scored 10 of the Lady Raiders first 12 points to start the game, going 7-10 from the field and 5-6 from the charity stripe.

"I told Jennifer that this was the player we recruited," said head coach Stephany Smith. "She is finally coming out and showing what she can do."

The Lady Raiders had to contend with a scrappy Louisiana-Lafayette team that cut an 18- point half-time lead by MT (41-23) down to 10 with 2:17 left to play, before Patrice Holmes knocked down a trey with 1:45 left to play. MT shot 47 percent from the field and had nine players to score in the contest.

"Even when they cut it to 10 I was confident we could mix it up and get the win," Smith said. "What I was most concerned with was our defensive awareness throughout the game."

Middle Tennessee returns home for a match-up with Sun Belt East foe Western Kentucky on Thursday January 17. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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