Preview: Western Kentucky Lady Toppers at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Middle Tennessee women’s basketball team looks to continue its climb in the Conference USA standings when it hosts struggling Western Kentucky on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Murphy Athletics Center.

The Blue Raiders (11-9 overall) enter with momentum from a 63-54 home victory over Liberty last Friday. They have won four of their last six games. Western Kentucky (5-14) seeks to halt a five-game losing streak, most recently a 66-55 home loss to Delaware.

Middle Tennessee will lean on guard Blair Baugus, who is coming off a season-high 22-point performance in 38 minutes against Liberty. Over her last nine games, Baugus has averaged 12.2 points, including a 25-point outing at Kennesaw State and a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double at Jacksonville State.

The Lady Toppers’ key contributor is guard Enni Ahervuo, who led the team with 13 points in the loss to Delaware. Her production has been variable, but she provides a scoring spark when on the floor.

The teams have followed similar conference paths recently, both facing Liberty and Delaware in their last two games. Middle Tennessee split that pair, while Western Kentucky dropped both contests in close fashion.

This matchup begins a key two-game homestand for the Blue Raiders before hitting the road. The Lady Toppers continue a difficult stretch, playing seven of their next nine games away from home after this contest.

The rematch is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon in Murfreesboro.