Box Score JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State's women's basketball squad fought blow-for-blow with the defending Conference USA champions in the second half, but a slow start spelled doom for them in a 66-45 loss to Middle Tennessee on Wednesday night at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
"They're one of the best squads in Conference USA," head coach Rick Pietri said. "They're one of the best teams in the country. They have outstanding players. Both big kids inside are a lot to deal with, their point guard is excellent, and their shooting guard went off on us tonight.

"Middle will steamroll you if you let them," Pietri said. "I do appreciate the fact that, minus some gaps, we fought them."
 
The Lady Raiders (15-4, 5-0) caught fire in the first, knocking down 10 field goals and a trio of threes. A 22-8 first quarter lead grew in the second as 6-foot-6 center Anastasiia Boldyreva came alive, totaling nine points in the period. Her efforts, paired with a poor shooting performance by the Gamecocks (6-11, 1-4), resulted in a 39-18 difference at the break. 
 
Middle Tennessee's offense continued to produce in the third quarter. Jax State could not slow down Jalynn Gregory, who splashed three three-pointers in the interval, and a 16-point quarter created a 24-point cushion through three. The Red-and-White outscored the Lady Raiders 14-11 in the final stanza to end the night on a high note, but still fell 66-45. 
 
Kristol Ayson was Jacksonville State's leading scorer, finishing with nine points and two steals. Mya Barnes added eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks, and Bre'Anna Rhodes totaled eight points and eight boards.
 
"I am glad, though, because (Ayson) has been struggling mightily," Pietri said. "It was nice for her to step up and finally make some baskets. We just need her to get it right on the defensive end and we'll be alright." 
 
The Gamecocks held advantages in points off turnovers (11-8) and bench points (15-0), but MTSU out-rebounded them 45-40 and shot 42% from the field and 33% from deep in the win.
 
Jax State hits the road again this weekend for another Conference USA showdown at Liberty. That pairing in Lynchburg, Va., will tip-off at 1 p.m. CT Saturday and it will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network.
 
"They're Liberty," Pietri said. "They're really good. They have good players and a good coach. We beat them in here, so they're going to be energized to beat us. We have to get ready in a short period of time."

Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats for that game will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates and highlights will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).

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