NICEVILLE, FLA. — Guard Alayna Contreras scored a game-high 22 points, including 16 in the second half, as Middle Tennessee overcame a slow start to rally for a 54-48 victory past Providence in the Bay Bracket of the Emerald Coast Classic at Northwest Florida State College Monday.
Guard Blair Baugus posted a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Blue Raiders who trailed 18-2 after the first quarter.
The Blue Raiders (3-3) will play the winner of the Alcorn State-Mississippi State for the championship at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday
Providence opened the game making eight of its first 12 shots storming to the big cushion. The Friars jumped to a 14-0 lead, while Middle Tennessee State missed all eight shots in the first quarter.
The Blue Raiders applied full court pressure defense in the second half which caused havoc for Providence. The Friars committed 23 turnovers, including 12 in the second half. Middle Tennessee State took advantage, scoring 21 points off Providence miscues.
“Two of our best shooters were a combined one of 15 shooting at halftime,” lamented Middle Tennessee State coach Rick Insell. “You aren’t going to win a lot of games shooting like that, But they (Contreras, Baugous) came back out in the second half and got us going.”
Trailing 26-17 with 8:52 left in the third period, the Blue Raiders reeled off 15 straight points, including seven from Contresas to grab a 32-26 lead.Providence tied the game twice at 43-43 and 45-45 before two free throws by Contreras gave the Blue Raiders a 47-45 lead it never relinquished.
Tenesia Brown and Orlagh Gormley led Providence (4-2) with 13 points apiece. Brown added a game-high five steals.
