The APSU Lady Govs played host to the nationally ranked No. 24 MTSU Blue Raiders at the Dunn Center, Saturday, Nov. 20. But the Lady Govs fell short in the upset bid, 84-73.
The Blue Raiders (2-1) were led by Preseason All-American Alysha Clark’s 38 points and 11 rebounds.
“You are not going to stop [Clark]. She is going to get her points and she is going to be a presence,” said Lady Govs head coach Carrie Daniels.
The Lady Govs (1-2) finished with five players in double figures in scoring, led by Nicole Jamen’s 14 points and eight rebounds. But what haunted the Lady Govs were the 29 turnovers for the game.
With the Blue Raiders holding at 51-64, the Lady Govs went on a 12-4 run to cut within five. The run was capped off by eight of Jamen’s 14 points, 66-61.
From there, the Blue Raiders slowly pushed further ahead, 78-67, on layups by Clark.
The Lady Govs would again claw away at the Blue Raider lead to come within seven points, 80-73, with 32 seconds left. But from there MTSU would hit four free throws to push the lead to 84-73. “I’m very pleased with the second half. We saw some emotion and team basketball,” said Daniels. “We are never happy with a loss but I did see some very bright spots.”
The first half started off with some promise, but they could not stop the MTSU offensive pressure. Down 13-10, after a jumper from APSU’s Whitney Handley, the Blue Raiders went on a 10-0 run. Cutting the Blue Raider lead to five, 30-25 with 3:34 left in the first half, MTSU outscored the Lady Govs 12-7 pushing their lead to 43-32 at half after 18 APSU turnovers.
For the Lady Govs, Lauren Jones contributed 13 points, Darcie Warner had 12, Ashley Herring had 11 and Brooke Faulkner had 10.
The Blue Raiders finished with Brandi Brown, 13 points, Jackie Pickel had nine, Chelsia Lymon, Anne Marie Lanning and Dana Garrett each had eight points.
“To have five players in double-figures is such a positive,” said coach Daniels.
The Lady Govs will travel to take part in the Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament on Friday, Nov. 27.
They will play in either the consolation or championship on Saturday, Nov. 28.
