MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Trailing by 10 at the half, the Monarchs (11-2, 1-0 C-USA) came from behind to defeat Middle Tennessee (8-5, 0-1 C-USA) on Thursday evening by a 67-56 final score. Senior Taylor Edwards scored a season-high 15 points, notching seven-of-seven free throws.
ODU opened the contest with a 13-12 lead over the Lady Raiders. Amari Young was two-for-two in the field goal department. In the second half, the Blue Raiders outscored ODU, 24-13. The strong second quarter from Middle sent ODU into the locker room with a 10-point deficit.
"We went into half time and said stop complaining about the refs and focus on what we can control, rebounding and getting stops," said head coach Nikki McCray. "I challenged them to rebound and defend, if you do those two things, we'll win."
ODU got hot in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Raiders 24-10. In that quarter, Edwards notched nine points, going 100-percent from the free throw line and 75-percent in the field goal department. In the final quarter, ODU held the Blue Raiders to 17-percent from field goal range. The Monarchs went six-for-six from the free throw line.
"I thought we made big plays down the stretch and we got the ball in peoples hands that needed to score for us and to me that's the start."
As a team, ODU had eight players score in the victory. Amari Young led the pack in scoring, notching a double-double in 16 points and 10 rebounds, one-point shy of her career-high 17 points. Young also added on three blocks, two assists and one steal. Junior Victoria Morris also recorded double-digit scoring, notching 10 points, six of those points were from beyond the arc.
Up Next
ODU will travel to UAB to take on the Blazers on Saturday, January 4 for a 3 PM ET tip at Bartow Arena. UAB fell to Charlotte to open C-USA play, 83-75.
ODU Notes –
- Taylor Edwards had a season-high 15 points.
- MTSU was picked to finish second in the league.
- Outscored Middle 41-20 in the second half.
- ODU shot 92% from the free throw line.
- Amari Young matched a season-high 10 rebounds and was one point shy of matching her career-high 17 points.