Southern Miss
-116,33 CUSA
Middle Tennessee
-134,52 CUSA
Almond and Davis Combine for 32 in Loss to Blue Raiders
1/22/2022 5:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Despite maintaining a lead on the defending Conference USA champions for three quarters, the Southern Miss women's basketball lost to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Saturday afternoon at Reed Green Coliseum, 81-71.
Daishai Almond and Domonique Davis led the Lady Eagles (11-6, 3-3 C-USA) offensively, with 16 points a piece, while Melyia Grayson joined the pair of guards in double-digits with 12 points. Brikayla Gray and Destiny Smith both grabbed seven rebounds, while Almond and Rose Warren combined for 11 assists.
"Overall, I thought for three quarters we played really well," assistant coach Jack Trosper said. "I thought we did what we needed to do and I thought the game plan was executed well. Then, in the fourth quarter, I think some of our offensive possessions led to some difficult transition defense, and I think once that was lacking, that opened things up for them."
Davis led the charge for the Lady Eagles in the opening quarter, as Southern Miss jumped out to a 23-17 lead. The Black & Gold shot effectively in the first frame, going 9-of-18 from the field. Southern Miss dominated in the lane, posting 14 points inside the paint.
Southern Miss and MTSU battled in a back and forth second quarter, which saw four lead changes in the final four minutes of play. Southern Miss was able to overcome the Blue Raiders, regaining the advantage with 49 second left as the Lady Eagles held a 40-38 lead heading into the half.
Almond set the tone for her squad offensively, with 12 points in the first half, eight of which came in the second quarter. The Athens, Ga. native was perfect from the field (5-of-5) and free throw stripe (2-of-2) in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Lady Eagles were solid from the charity stripe, going 8-of-8 on free throws, which proved vital in the first two quarters. Southern Miss forced MTSU to concede 10 turnovers, which led to 10 points for the Black & Gold.
Southern Miss refused to concede the lead throughout the third quarter, as the Lady Eagles kept the Blue Raiders at bay, holding a 58-51 lead into the final frame. Warren netted six points for the Black & Gold as her team outscored MTSU, 18-15.
MTSU pulled away from Southern Miss in the fourth quarter, as a barrage of field goals, including four from beyond the arc, saw the Blue Raiders claim the win over the Lady Eagles.
Up next, the Lady Eagles travel to Denton,Texas for a Conference USA matchup with the North Texas Mean Green. Tip-off is set for Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. and the action will be streamed on ESPN+.
