Middle Tennessee Turned Away By FIU 71-55

MIAMI, Fla. - Middle Tennessee's Lady Raiders (12-10, 4-5 SBC) fell to Sun Belt Conference East leader Florida International University (18-5, 9-1 SBC) 71-55 Saturday at Golden Panther Arena.

The Lady Raiders watched a two-point deficit (49-51) balloon with a 20-6 run by the Golden Panthers in the final 10 minutes of the game. Middle Tennessee shot only 37.5 percent from the field in the second half, and FIU shot 48 percent and the Lady Raiders were out rebounded by the Panthers 48-24.

"The game was really taken over at the backboards," said MT head coach Stephany Smith. "We were getting the looks we needed, but if the shot didn't fall we weren't getting a second chance."

Senior Jamie Thomatis led all scorers with 19 points and was 5-6 from the free throw line. Freshman Patrice Holmes was the only other Lady Raider in double figures with 10 points.

Middle Tennessee will have a three game home stand starting with Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas State on Thursday Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in Murphy Center.

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