Thursday, February 6
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
6:30 P.M.
Jacksonville State University
at
Middle Tennessee
Women's Basketball set for rematch with MTSU in Murfreesboro
2/5/2025 10:36:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, TN. – Gamecocks women's basketball is set for their second matchup with Middle Tennessee on Thursday, Feb. 6 in MTSU's Murphy Center. In the first game of the season against the Blue Raiders, Jax State was held to their lowest point total of the year by the Conference USA's perennial power.
Jax State (9-11, 3-6 CUSA) vs Middle Tennessee (16-6, 8-1 CUSA)
When: Thursday, Feb. 6 | 6:30 P.M.
Where: Murphy Center | Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Jax State Notes
Last Time Out
The Gamecocks lost their second consecutive game in a 62-53 final at Liberty on Saturday, Feb. 1. The Flames got up as much as 20 points, but the Red-and-White crawled back to get within one point with just under three minutes remaining in the fourth. Liberty pushed their lead back to seven points late and would not let Jax State within seven as the game ended.
Series History
Middle Tennessee is 3-0 all-time against Jax State. The first matchup came on Jan. 24, 2024, in Jacksonville when the Blue Raiders defeated the Gamecocks 66-45. The most recent matchup between the teams came on Jan. 11, 2025, inside the Pete Mathews Coliseum. Middle Tennessee held Jax State to their lowest scoring total of the season in a 69-35 final.
Standout Performances
Although the Gamecocks lost to Liberty last Saturday, there were plenty of bright spots in the box score. Mya Barnes led the Gamecocks with 15 points and six rebounds. Barnes also had a team-high 32 minutes played against the Flames. Clara Gonzalez Planella followed Barnes with 14 points, while Bre'Anna Rhodes joined Planella and Barnes in double-figures as she added 10 points. Asia Barclay had five rebounds, and Elsie Harris led the team with six assists.
Ponce Showing Out
Maria Sanchez Ponce led the Gamecocks with 14 points on 50% shooting in Jax State's 62-52 loss at Florida International on Jan. 31. Ponce is averaging 8.3 points per game in conference play. She entered the starting lineup against Kennesaw State to begin conference action and has not given up that role as she has been one of the most consistent performers for Jax State over their nine-game conference schedule thus far.
Jax State's Defense
The Gamecocks currently rank fourth in the CUSA in opponent field goal percentage as they only allow 39.3% of their opponent's shots to fall. Jax State's three-point defense is even better. The Gamecocks are first in the league in opponent three-point field goal percentage as 24.3% of opponent's shots from range find the bottom of the net. Jax State only allows 59.2 points per game which is good enough for second in the conference in fewest points allowed per contest.
Raining Threes
Jax State is first in the CUSA total threes made and average three-pointers per game. The Gamecocks have made 164 threes for an average of 8.2 treys per contest. Valentina Saric has hit the most threes at 35, Barnes has 32 makes from range, Planella has made 23, Ponce has 19, Shaquice May has 17, and Samiya Steele has made 15 threes.
On the Leaderboards
Barnes sits at fourth in the conference in total blocks and average blocks per game. Barnes has 29 blocks and averages 1.5 rejections per game. Steele ranks seventh in the league in average assists per game. Steele averages 2.8 assists per game. Steele also is sixth in total assists per game with 55 dimes per game.
Scouting the Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee is currently tied atop the league with Liberty at 16-6 and 8-1 in conference action. The Blue Raiders' CUSA record 33-game win streak was snapped by Western Kentucky on Jan. 18. Even with that loss, the Blue Raiders hold the tie breaker for first place over Liberty after they defeated them 69-41 on Jan. 4.
The Blue Raiders have three of the top 10 scorers in the league and two of the top five. Anastasiia Boldyreva is third with an average of 15.5 points per game, Ta'Mia Scott is fourth with an average of 15.3 points per game, and Jalynn Gregory is sixth with an average of 14.3 points per game. Boldyreva is second in the country and first in the league with an average of 3.23 blocks per game. Boldyreva also averages 10.2 rebounds per game which is second in the conference.
Up Next
After the game against Middle Tennessee, Jax State concludes their four-game road swing with a trip to Western Kentucky on Saturday, Feb. 8. The game against the Hilltoppers is set for a 2 p.m. tipoff and will be streaming on ESPN+. Live stats will also be available at JaxStateSports.com.
Stay in the Know
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
Jax State (9-11, 3-6 CUSA) vs Middle Tennessee (16-6, 8-1 CUSA)
When: Thursday, Feb. 6 | 6:30 P.M.
Where: Murphy Center | Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Jax State Notes
Last Time Out
The Gamecocks lost their second consecutive game in a 62-53 final at Liberty on Saturday, Feb. 1. The Flames got up as much as 20 points, but the Red-and-White crawled back to get within one point with just under three minutes remaining in the fourth. Liberty pushed their lead back to seven points late and would not let Jax State within seven as the game ended.
Series History
Middle Tennessee is 3-0 all-time against Jax State. The first matchup came on Jan. 24, 2024, in Jacksonville when the Blue Raiders defeated the Gamecocks 66-45. The most recent matchup between the teams came on Jan. 11, 2025, inside the Pete Mathews Coliseum. Middle Tennessee held Jax State to their lowest scoring total of the season in a 69-35 final.
Standout Performances
Although the Gamecocks lost to Liberty last Saturday, there were plenty of bright spots in the box score. Mya Barnes led the Gamecocks with 15 points and six rebounds. Barnes also had a team-high 32 minutes played against the Flames. Clara Gonzalez Planella followed Barnes with 14 points, while Bre'Anna Rhodes joined Planella and Barnes in double-figures as she added 10 points. Asia Barclay had five rebounds, and Elsie Harris led the team with six assists.
Ponce Showing Out
Maria Sanchez Ponce led the Gamecocks with 14 points on 50% shooting in Jax State's 62-52 loss at Florida International on Jan. 31. Ponce is averaging 8.3 points per game in conference play. She entered the starting lineup against Kennesaw State to begin conference action and has not given up that role as she has been one of the most consistent performers for Jax State over their nine-game conference schedule thus far.
Jax State's Defense
The Gamecocks currently rank fourth in the CUSA in opponent field goal percentage as they only allow 39.3% of their opponent's shots to fall. Jax State's three-point defense is even better. The Gamecocks are first in the league in opponent three-point field goal percentage as 24.3% of opponent's shots from range find the bottom of the net. Jax State only allows 59.2 points per game which is good enough for second in the conference in fewest points allowed per contest.
Raining Threes
Jax State is first in the CUSA total threes made and average three-pointers per game. The Gamecocks have made 164 threes for an average of 8.2 treys per contest. Valentina Saric has hit the most threes at 35, Barnes has 32 makes from range, Planella has made 23, Ponce has 19, Shaquice May has 17, and Samiya Steele has made 15 threes.
On the Leaderboards
Barnes sits at fourth in the conference in total blocks and average blocks per game. Barnes has 29 blocks and averages 1.5 rejections per game. Steele ranks seventh in the league in average assists per game. Steele averages 2.8 assists per game. Steele also is sixth in total assists per game with 55 dimes per game.
Scouting the Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee is currently tied atop the league with Liberty at 16-6 and 8-1 in conference action. The Blue Raiders' CUSA record 33-game win streak was snapped by Western Kentucky on Jan. 18. Even with that loss, the Blue Raiders hold the tie breaker for first place over Liberty after they defeated them 69-41 on Jan. 4.
The Blue Raiders have three of the top 10 scorers in the league and two of the top five. Anastasiia Boldyreva is third with an average of 15.5 points per game, Ta'Mia Scott is fourth with an average of 15.3 points per game, and Jalynn Gregory is sixth with an average of 14.3 points per game. Boldyreva is second in the country and first in the league with an average of 3.23 blocks per game. Boldyreva also averages 10.2 rebounds per game which is second in the conference.
Up Next
After the game against Middle Tennessee, Jax State concludes their four-game road swing with a trip to Western Kentucky on Saturday, Feb. 8. The game against the Hilltoppers is set for a 2 p.m. tipoff and will be streaming on ESPN+. Live stats will also be available at JaxStateSports.com.
Stay in the Know
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
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