MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Middle Tennessee dominated UTEP 86-43 in a Conference USA women’s basketball game Thursday night at Murphy Athletics Center. The Blue Raiders (8-7) led 23-9 after the first quarter and never relented, shooting 46% from the field and a perfect 11 for 11 from the free-throw line. UTEP (9-5) struggled offensively, shooting just 26% overall. Blair Baugus led Middle Tennessee with 15 points. Yu Han Lin added 18 points off the bench. Mary Moses Amaniyo scored 14 points for the Miners. Attendance was 3,072.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders delivered a dominant wire-to-wire performance Thursday night, overwhelming the UTEP Miners 86-43 in a Conference USA women’s basketball matchup at Murphy Athletics Center. From the opening tip, the Blue Raiders established a commanding presence, building a 23-9 lead after the first quarter and never looking back. The victory, witnessed by 3,072 fans, improved Middle Tennessee’s record to 8-7 overall, while UTEP fell to 9-5. The most decisive phase of the game unfolded in the opening period, where Middle Tennessee’s suffocating defense and efficient offense set the tone for the entire contest. UTEP managed just nine points in the quarter, shooting a dismal percentage as the Blue Raiders forced early turnovers and contested every shot. Offensively, Middle Tennessee was clinical, with Kirston Verhulst and Savannah Davis connecting from three-point range and Blair Baugus converting inside. A 14-2 run midway through the quarter, capped by a Verhulst three-pointer assisted by Baugus with 4:44 remaining, stretched the lead to 10-2 and effectively put the game out of reach early. The Blue Raiders led by as many as 16 in the first quarter and entered the second with a 14-point advantage, a deficit from which UTEP never recovered. Middle Tennessee’s offensive execution was a model of efficiency. The Blue Raiders shot 45.6% from the field and a sharp 41.9% from three-point range, making 13 of 31 attempts. They were also perfect from the free throw line, converting all 11 attempts. UTEP, by stark contrast, struggled profoundly, shooting 26.3% overall and a meager 21.4% from beyond the arc. The Miners also left points at the charity stripe, making only 10 of 22 free throws. The statistical disparity was comprehensive. Middle Tennessee scored 21 points off UTEP’s 13 turnovers, while the Miners managed only nine points off an equal number of Blue Raider turnovers. Middle Tennessee also controlled the glass with 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 30 points in the paint, and out-assisted UTEP. Blair Baugus led a balanced and potent Middle Tennessee attack with 15 points, three assists and a game-high 30 minutes. Yu Han Lin provided a massive spark off the bench, scoring a game-high 18 points in just 15 minutes. Alayna Contreras added 16 points, and Kirston Verhulst contributed 17 points, including five three-pointers. For UTEP, Mary Moses Amaniyo was the lone bright spot, finishing with 14 points. No other Miner scored more than four points. The team’s offensive struggles were encapsulated by an offensive rating of just 61.9 points per 100 possessions, compared to Middle Tennessee’s robust 124.2. The Blue Raiders continued to extend their lead after halftime, outscoring UTEP 24-10 in the third quarter to take a 68-43 advantage into the final period. The fourth quarter saw Middle Tennessee empty its bench, with reserves like Yu Han Lin and Jenna McClendon maintaining the defensive intensity and offensive flow to close out the 43-point victory. The win marked a strong start to the conference slate for Middle Tennessee, which was projected as a heavy favorite by advanced metrics. UTEP, coming off a 20-point loss to Liberty, will look to regroup quickly as conference play continues. Middle Tennessee next hosts New Mexico State on Saturday. UTEP travels to face Western Kentucky on the same day.

Preview: UTEP Miners at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — A pair of Conference USA women’s basketball teams trending in opposite directions will meet Thursday when the UTEP Miners visit the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Murphy Athletics Center. UTEP (9-4) aims to rebound from a decisive 86-66 home loss to Liberty on Sunday. The Miners had won three of their previous four before that setback. Middle Tennessee (7-7) enters on a three-game winning streak, including a 69-52 road victory at Jacksonville State on Sunday. The Miners will lean on forward Mary Moses Amaniyo, who is coming off a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds against Liberty. Her production has been variable, however, following a 20-point performance against Southwest on Dec. 29. The Blue Raiders are powered by guard Blair Baugus, who has been a consistent force. She averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds over her last two games, notching a double-double in the win at Jacksonville State and scoring a season-high 25 points in a victory at Kennesaw State on Jan. 2. UTEP’s strength has been its defense, holding opponents to an average of 62.2 points per game during its 9-2 start before allowing 93 and 86 points in its last two losses. Middle Tennessee has found its footing after a tough non-conference slate, using strong defensive efforts to secure its current streak, holding opponents under 53 points in each of the three wins. The matchup pits UTEP’s quest for road consistency against a surging Middle Tennessee squad looking to climb above .500 for the first time this season. The Miners are 2-3 in true road games, while the Blue Raiders are 5-2 at home. Following this contest, UTEP travels to face Western Kentucky on Saturday. Middle Tennessee remains at home to host New Mexico State on Saturday.