No. 25 Middle Tennessee tops Western Kentucky for CUSA title

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Jalynn Gregory made 5 of 5 3-pointers and scored 24 factors to steer No. 25 Center Tennessee’s 82-70 victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday evening to win the Convention USA Event championship.

The Blue Raiders (28-4) can be making their twentieth NCAA Event look.

Alexi Whittington scored 16 factors and Savannah Wheeler added 11 factors with 5 assists for Center Tennessee. The Blue Raiders solely performed seven gamers and each reserves — Kseniya Malashka and Courtney Blakely — reached double figures. Malashka had 14 factors and Blakely 10.

The Blue Raiders hit 4 of 5 3-pointers in a 4 1/2-minute stretch of the second quarter to interrupt from a 15-all tie and construct a 33-24 lead whereas scoring 20 factors within the first six minutes of the quarter. Center Tennessee scored 32 factors within the quarter and led 47-31 at halftime.

Three free throws from Gregory put the Blue Raiders up by 22 late within the third they usually led 63-46 on the finish of the quarter. They led by 21 halfway via the fourth quarter earlier than Western Kentucky completed with a 12-3 run.

Acacia Hayes led Western Kentucky with 15 factors and Aaliyah Pitts scored 11.

The Girl Toppers (19-13) hit 2 of three 3-pointers within the early going then missed 19 of their subsequent 20 makes an attempt. They completed 6 for 29 from 3-point distance (21%) and 37% general.

The Blue Raiders made 11 of 27 3-pointers (41%) and shot 42% general.

___ AP girls’s school basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25