After a mid-December loss to No. 7 Kentucky, the Lady Raiders looked to end their non-conference schedule on a high note. While a two-game win streak seemed to suggest they would do just that, a five-day rest followed by a road trip turned that high note sour.
Just four days after hosting Kentucky, Missouri State came to town for a midday game on Education Day. Brea Edwards stood out amongst all others. She compiled 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting, including four three-pointers. Edwards’ big day hit a crescendo late in the fourth quarter. With MT holding a slight 56–52 advantage, Edwards went on a single-handed 10–0 run. Brea also added three steals and five rebounds to her totals while playing all 40 minutes of action.
Edwards trimmed 20 pounds off her frame in the off-season, and her newfound physique is paying off dividends.
“Last year, it would have taken a toll on me,” Edwards said. “But I made a conscious effort to come back in shape this season. I came in determined that I was going to play 40 minutes, so coming back in shape was definitely helpful for me.”
Ty Petty also had an impressive performance. She added 13 points of her own and dished out 11 assists as well.
Edwards’ success carried over when rival Tennessee Tech showed up to the Murphy Center. Brea recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds while sinking four more three-point field goals and picking the opposition’s pocket three times.
A game that started out as normally as any other quickly changed in the second quarter. MT dominated the quarter, scoring 20 points and holding Tech to just five. A high-scoring third quarter for both teams still resulted in the Lady Raiders carrying a 27-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Tennessee Tech closed the gap considerably in the fourth quarter, but MT still came away with the 69–53 win.
The Lady Raiders then took a well-deserved five-day hiatus from basketball, but they would have to close out their non-conference schedule on the road against Ohio.
Though the Lady Raiders got off to a hot start offensively, they lost all momentum between the first and second period and never got it back. In fact, MT barely surpassed their 23 first-quarter points in the next three quarters combined.
Much of that was due to the fact that Ohio was able to shut down Edwards. Edwards was limited to only four shots the entire game; however, she did find other ways to contribute as she led the team with eight rebounds.
Ohio ran away with this one 72–49.
Edwards remains the clear-cut MVP of the team, as her 20.5 points per game rank 20th in the nation and she is second in the nation in three-point field goals per game at just under four. Going into conference play, the Lady Raiders will need someone to step up during nights on which the opposing defense takes Edwards out of the game.
The Lady Raiders’ home schedule in January includes games against Charlotte on Jan. 14, Old Dominion on Jan. 16, Marshall on Jan. 28 and Western Kentucky on Jan. 30. For tickets and more information, visit goblueraiders.com.
