MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –Middle Tennessee (3-5, 0-0 CUSA) overcame what was at one point a 20-point deficit against the Belmont Bruins (4-4, 0-0 MVC), tying the game in the final minute, but were unable to take the lead for good in a 71-65 loss at home.  

Belmont got out to an early 19-9 lead after one quarter. Freshman forward Blair Baugus started the night 3-of-4 from the field to get her out of the gates with six points. The Bruins shot 47% from the floor in the first half and tallied 19 points off turnovers to take a 41-26 lead into the locker room.  

Middle Tennessee grabbed a quick five points in the final 30 seconds via a sophomore Savannah Davis three and a Carson Swaney bucket. The Blue Raiders shot 42% from the field and were led offensively by Baugus, who ended the half with 10 points and two rebounds. Kirston Verhulst had six points and three rebounds, and Yu Han Lin dished three assists and grabbed a pair of rebounds.  

The Blue Raiders outscored Belmont 18-17 in the third quarter, led in the period by Yu Han Lin, who had eight points, a pair of threes and a steal. Macie Phifer also hit a three, which was her second of the game, helping Middle Tennessee shoot 7-of-15 from range through three quarters.  

Middle Tennessee stormed back in the fourth and final quarter, outscoring Belmont 21-13. The Blue Raiders were able to tie the game twice in the game's final two minutes, thanks in large part to forward Macie Pfifer's terrific free throw shooting. Pfifer finished with a career-high 14 points to go with four rebounds. Baugus finished as the team's leading scorer with 21 points and Yu Han Lin had 10 points off the bench. 


Coach's Comments  


By the Numbers  
92.9: Team high in free throw percentage for the Blue Raiders, who went 13-of-14 from the stripe. 

20: The largest deficit the Blue Raiders faced, down 41-21 with 1:02 left in the second quarter.  

8: Season-high in rebounds for freshman Kirston Verhulst, who also had 10 points.  

14: Season high in points for freshman Macie Phifer, including an important four free throws to tie the ballgame on two separate occasions with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. 

42: Team-high for three-point field goal percentage for the Blue Raiders, who sank 8-of-19 from long range. 

UP NEXT: 
Middle Tennessee hosts Memphis on the front end of a doubleheader with the Blue Raider men's team this Sunday at the Murphy Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.  

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