The Arkansas State women's basketball team didn't shoot very well in its WNIT opener against Western Michigan on Wednesday night, but the Red Wolves did just about everything else well enough to advance.
"There were just open shots that we missed, but that led to how good we played," said Coach Brian Boyer, whose team shot just 35.7 percent from the field in the61-49 victory. "We were still able to win despite how we shot."
The reward for doing so? A trip to the place where ASU experienced some of its biggest fits over a 13-year period in the Sun Belt Conference.
ASU (24-10) faces Middle Tennessee (22-9) at 2 p.m. Central today in a second-round WNIT game in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The Red Wolves' juniors and seniors are familiar with the venue considering the Blue Raiders were members of the Sun Belt Conference until 2013, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Red Wolves are walking into friendly territory. ASU was 0-10 at the Murphy Center while Middle Tennessee was a member of the Sun Belt in 2000-2013.
"When we've played there it hasn't been pretty," said Boyer, whose team will make its first trip to Murfreesboro since a 93-49 loss on Feb. 6, 2013. "I think the main thing is they've been really good. That, more than anything, has made it tough to play there."
The Blue Raiders, who left for Conference USA in 2013, is in the WNIT for the first time since 2008, ending a string of six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Last month Coach Rick Insell dismissed Cheyenne Parker, who averaged 18.6 points and 11 rebounds a game, for a violation of athletic department policy, and the Blue Raiders lost to Southern Miss in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament.
The Red Wolves will come in with some confidence coming off Wednesday's victory in Jonesboro. Aundrea Gamble scored 19 points against Western Michigan, while Jasmine Hunt added 11 points and 16 rebounds and Hanna Qedan scored 10 points despite missing on all 5 of her three-point attempts.
ASU's No. 45 Ratings Percentage Index also ranks as the highest of any team in the WNIT field, which could provide a mental boost heading into an unfriendly environment.
"I think it does. Or, I think it should," Boyer said. "I also think the fact that our team has been challenged. Our schedule was full of postseason teams, so you certainly hope that helps."
Sports on 03/22/2015