Dec. 11, 2011
Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Senior Sasha Goodlett scored 13 of her team-high 15 points in the second half as the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team (6-3) overcame a three-point halftime deficit to beat the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (6-5) 58-47 Sunday afternoon at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Senior Mo Bennett added her second career double-double and first of the season with 10 points and a game-best 10 rebounds off the bench for the Yellow Jackets. Sophomore Tyaunna Marshall finished in double-digits for the eighth time in Tech’s nine games.
“Middle Tennessee is a great team, they’re an NCAA tournament team, they’re a team that you know is going to finish first or second in their conference. They have a great tradition up here and the game was well played by both teams,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “I’m really proud of my seniors today. Mo Bennett in particular stepped up with a double-double and we saw some great play in the second half from Sasha Goodlett.”
The first 12-plus minutes went back-and-forth with neither side taking more than a four-point edge, including four ties. The Blue Raiders used an 8-0 run from the 7:42 mark of the first half to the 4:51 point to turn a slim 18-17 lead into a 26-17 advantage.
The Jackets responded with eight quick points of their own, including four points from Bennett, to pull back within one. A pair of Laken Leonard free throws for MTSU made the halftime score 28-25 in favor of the hosts, only the second time this season Tech has trailed at intermission.
The Yellow Jackets used a 16-3 run midway through the second half to take a 47-39 lead with 8:39 to play. Metra Walthour’s third 3-pointer of the day gave Tech a 37-36 advantage, the Jackets’ first lead since it was 13-11 early in the contest.
The Jackets’ defense stopped the Blue Raiders down the stretch and Tech converted on the offensive end to earn the road victory.
“I definitely thought Sasha showed up in big in the second half,” Joseph added. “The foul trouble in the first half caused her to not get many minutes, but when she was out there she was hard for them to deal with. Our team did a great job of getting her the ball too. We moved her around a lot and they were double and triple teaming her. I thought she did a great job on the offensive glass, getting a couple of key putbacks.”
Georgia Tech will be back in Atlanta, but continuing its month-long road trip when the Yellow Jackets go across town to take on the Georgia State Panthers, Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena. Richard Musterer and Michele Van Gorp will have the live radio call against the Panthers.
Fans are encouraged to follow us on Twitter, @GTWBB, for instant updates and like us on Facebook, GTWomensBasketball, for a view inside the program.
— RamblinWreck.com –
