MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –Middle Tennessee (4-7, 0-0 CUSA) was unable to overcome some early offensive struggles in a 68-52 loss to SEC opponent Auburn (9-3, 0-0 SEC). 

The visiting Tigers led 13-9 after the first quarter. After trailing by as much as eight, Savannah Davis hit a three to bring Middle Tennessee back to within five and Macie Phifer's first basket of the night came on an offensive board to help the Blue Raiders end the quarter on a slim 4-0 run over the final 2:32.
Auburn stifled the Blue Raiders in the second quarter to take a 35-15 lead into the locker room. Blair Baugus led Middle Tennessee with four points and two rebounds, and classmate Carsyn Swaney had four points, one rebound and one assist. 

Middle Tennessee got the offense going in the third quarter. The Blue Raiders shot just over 46% from the field including 3-of-5 from distance, with trifectas from Swaney, Alayna Contreras and Emily Monson. 

Swaney finished the game with a career-high 11 points to go with three rebounds and an assist. Phifer finished with seven points and seven rebounds, including a career-high four offensive rebounds. 

Blair Baugus found herself in double-digits scoring, finishing with 11 points and five rebounds. Contreras finished with a season-high four assists and three three-pointers and had 12 points in 19 minutes off the bench for the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee out rebounded Auburn 25-22 and finished the game on a 9-0 run to shoot 50% in the quarter.


Coach's Comments 




By the Numbers 
11: Career-high in points for freshman Carsyn Swaney.
4: Offensive rebounds for Macie Phifer, tying her career-high. 
3: Season-high in three-pointers for Alayna Contreras, who also tallied a season-high four assists.



UP NEXT: Middle Tennessee will travel to Wichita, Kansas on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. CDT tip with Wichita State. The game will be carried on ESPN+ and WGNS radio along with the Blue Raider Network.