KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In a battle of in-state foes, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-1) fell to 2-1 on the season in their first Power 4 matchup of 2024 in an 89-75 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers (3-0) at Tompson-Boiling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Blue Raiders opened the game with a pair of buckets at the rim by Jalynn Gregory and Ta'Mia Scott and two turnovers on the other end, commanding an early lead in Knoxville. Middle Tennessee would continue to bolster their lead in the early going, jumping out to a 12-7 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter. The Lady Vols would find their way back into the game, scoring seven consecutive points, with the exception of a layup from point-guard Courtney Blakely, to close out the opening quarter of play, leading 23-18. Leading scorer Ta'Mia Scott led the Blue Raiders with 10 points through the first period.

MTSU continued to hang around early in the second quarter, maintaining a five-point deficit until the four-minute mark. Tennessee ended the first half on a 12-3 scoring run, extending their lead to 41-30 heading into the halftime break.

Despite the deficit on the scoreboard, Middle Tennessee held the Lady Vols to just 37% shooting in the opening half. The Blue Raiders were also able to control the interior on the offensive end, outscoring UT 20-10 in the points in the paint.

The third quarter produced a rather even matchup in terms of offensive production with Middle Tennessee outscoring the Volunteers 27-26. Blakely kept the Blue Raiders in the game with 12 third quarter points on 5-7 shooting, including a three pointer.

The Lady Vols saw out an 89-75 win on their home floor behind four players scoring in double figures, led by Talaysia Cooper with 18 points off the bench.

Middle Tennessee also featured four players in double figures, led by Blakely with a season-high 25 points on 11-17 shooting from the field. Anastasiia Boldyreva scored 18 of her own, and Ta'Mia Scott and Jalynn Gregory each added 13.

Similar to the way the Blue Raiders were able to find success in their first two wins of the season, Tennessee won in large part due to their ability to force 22 Middle Tennessee turnovers on 13 steals, leading to 29 points off turnovers.

By the Numbers

25: Courtney Blakely led all scorers tonight with 25 points, a career-high for the Indiana native.

44: Despite the loss, Middle Tennessee outscored Tennessee 44-24 in points in the paint.

33: The Volunteers scored 33 points off the bench, led by Talaysia Cooper with 18.

Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Insell

"That's the most turnovers we've had in a while. 22 turnovers. We cut it to seven and then they banked in a three, so there's not a whole lot you can do about that. And then they hit another three from the corner, so that kind of takes the momentum away. But I'm proud of our players. They didn't quit. They didn't get down. We got back out there and battled, ran our offense and got some baskets. Tennessee did a good job in what they do, and I was proud of what our players and what they did."

Blue Raider Notes

Blakely scored a career-high 25 points tonight vs. the Volunteers, surpassing a previous career-high of 24. Scott extends her streak of game in double figures to four dating back to last season with 13 points.

Up Next

The Blue Raiders will return to Murfreesboro on Sunday, Nov. 17 to face the Alcorn State Braves at the Murphy Center at 2 P.M.