Lady Raiders’ Stellar Season Comes To A Close After NCAA Tournament Loss

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Photo: Courtesy of Middle Tennessee Athletics

After one of their best seasons ever, Middle Tennessee women’s basketball ended their 2023 season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to the No. 6 seed against Colorado 82-60 on Saturday night (March 18).

The Lady Raiders (28-5), struggled to slow down the Buffalo (24-8) attack, getting doubled up the first quarter, 22-11, after a cold start shooting from the floor (4-for-16). MTSU then climbed back into the game late in the second quarter, cutting the Colorado lead to as few as five points, but a 9-0 run in the final 1:21 of the half from the Buffs left MTSU further behind at the break, 42-28.

“I thought that Colorado came out and really really played,” said Head Coach Rick Insell postgame. “I think they’re averaging five threes a game and tonight they made 13 threes. And we played pretty good defense. On our offensive end, they were very aggressive with us, not allowing us to get into our offense. I didn’t say they were fouling now, they were aggressive, they did a good job. Their game plan was excellent, they caused us problems early and knocked down some shots.

“My girls, they didn’t quit. They just kept playing and executing. I was real proud of them, they had a heck of a season. We put them in the fire all year long and they’ve done a good job.”

MTSU lost Colorado’s shooters in transition as the Buffs sped up the game in the third quarter, setting the net on fire with a 6-for-9 clip beyond the arc in the frame to increase their lead to 26 at the quarter break, making the fourth quarter a formality to end the first game of the night at the Durham Tournament site.

“They were aggressive, with the post players, up top, setting screens,” said junior guard Savannah Wheeler. “All we had to do is try to match their physicality. Credit to them. You know, they did a great job of defending . I thought we had a heck of a year. I’m really proud of this group. Proud that I came here. And just ready to get back to work for next season.”

Wheeler did all she could in her first taste of NCAA action, scoring 15 points at point guard. Kseniya Malashka found success offensively in her final game as a Lady Raider, nailing one of MTSU’s only three pointers of the night while finishing around the rim, ending the night with 13 points. Anastasiia Boldyreva was the only MTSU player to shoot above 50 percent during the night, finishing her evening with 6-of-8 shooting and leading the team with 16 points.

The Lady Raiders found themselves on the Associated Press’s Top 25 multiple times throughout the season and won both the Conference USA regular season championship and conference tournament.

Steven Boero
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