No. 25 MTSU women beat UTEP, advance to C-USA title
Middle Tennessee forward Kseniya Malashka (5) and Courtney Whitson (33), right, celebrate a three-point shot made by Whitson in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UTEP in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Tony Gutierrez]
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Jalynn Gregory scored 22 points, Kseniya Malashka had 18 points and 14 rebounds and No. 25 Middle Tennessee beat fourth-seeded UTEP 68-62 to advance to the championship game of the Conference USA Tournament. Middle Tennessee led for 37 minutes with UTEP’s last lead at 48-47 after N’Yah Boyd scored the opening five points of the fourth quarter. The Miners missed a quick 3-pointer on their next possession and Whitson made 1 of 2 free throws for a six-point lead. UTEP missed another jumper and Savannah Wheeler made 1 of 2 free throws with 21.8 left. Arike sank a long 3-pointer with to get within four points, but Gregory added two free throws to seal it.
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Middle Tennessee center Anastasiia Boldyreva (2) takes a shot as UTEP forward Adhel Tac, left, defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Tony Gutierrez
UTEP guard Avery Crouse, left, walks past as Middle Tennessee guard Jalynn Gregory (10) reacts to a foul called against her team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Tony Gutierrez
UTEP guard Soleil Montrose (25) and Jazion Jackson (1) compete against Middle Tennessee forward Courtney Whitson, center, for control of a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Tony Gutierrez