ESTERO, Fla. – Middle Tennessee showed incredible moxie in the second half against Arizona State but came up short in a hard-fought battle, falling 61-60 in the third-place game of the Gulf Coast Showcase here Sunday.
Freshman Courtney Whitson's clutch 3-pointer provided the Lady Raiders (5-3) with their only lead of the game, 61-60 with 1:01 remaining, and erased what had been a 12-point Arizona State (5-2) advantage early in the third quarter.
On the cusp of a sterling comeback and upset, Middle Tennessee's hopes were dashed when Robbi Ryan connected on two free throws with 29 seconds remaining to give the lead back to Arizona State, 61-60.