MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Jacksonville State's women's basketball squad started hot but could not maintain their success in Wednesday's 66-40 setback at Middle Tennessee. The Gamecocks trailed by just two at halftime, but a poor offensive showing in the second half resulted in their third consecutive Conference USA loss. 
 
"The first half was good," head coach Rick Pietri said. "In the first half, the game was tight and that's what we needed. In the second half, as unfortunately happens with our team, we just couldn't shoot the ball. The shots were there, we just didn't make any."
 
Both offenses impressed early on, converting six field goals in the opening period. Mya Barnes poured in seven points off the bench for Jax State (9-15, 4-8), who stayed with a powerful MTSU (22-4, 12-0) team, 18-14, through one. Back-and-forth blows ensued in the following interval. A trio of three-pointers, including a buzzer-beater from Kristol Ayson, had the Gamecocks down just 31-29 at the break. 
 
Middle Tennessee began to pull away a bit in the third quarter. A stingy defensive effort held Jacksonville State to just 2-of-13 (15.4%) shooting in the frame, allowing the Lady Raiders to build as much as a 14-point lead. A 46-34 advantage entering the final stanza grew larger as MTSU, who outscored Jax State 35-11 in the second half, kept applying pressure into the last minute of their 66-40 victory. 
 
Ayson led the team in scoring (12 points) and rebounding (seven rebounds) and Barnes also finished in double figures with ten points. 
 
"Mya had a really big first half," Pietri said. "She was huge in the first half for us, which is why we were right there in the game."
 
The Gamecocks shot just 15-of-53 (28.3%) from the field and 5-of-22 (22.7%) from the arc, including making just five of their 29 shot attempts (17.2%) in the second half. In addition, they were out-rebounded 36-29.
 
"We've got to find a way to play two halves," Pietri said. "We just weren't capable of it. This is why (MTSU) is who they are; they're able to rise to the occasion when they have to, and we're not capable of that at this point."
 
Jacksonville State women's hoops returns to the Yellowhammer State this weekend to continue CUSA play against Florida International. Saturday's matchup at Pete Mathews Coliseum will tip-off at 2:30 p.m. and it will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network. 
 
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).

To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.