MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Alayna Contreras scored 28 points and Middle Tennessee used a dominant first half to cruise past Kennesaw State 71-53 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Murphy Athletics Center.

The Blue Raiders (14-11) never trailed, building a 20-point lead by halftime and withstanding a brief third-quarter push from the Owls (11-12) before pulling away for a comfortable victory in front of 3,812 fans.

Contreras, a 5-foot-6 guard from Minneapolis, was the catalyst, hitting 5 of 9 from three-point range and adding an assist in 39 minutes. Her backcourt partner, Kirston Verhulst, contributed 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The inside presence was provided by Macie Phifer, who posted 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals.

The most important stretch of the game came in the second quarter, where Middle Tennessee turned a modest six-point lead after one period into a commanding 39-22 halftime advantage. The Blue Raiders outscored the Owls 19-8 in the frame, fueled by defensive pressure that forced 7 Kennesaw State turnovers. Contreras was pivotal, hitting two three-pointers and scoring 11 of her points in the quarter. The Owls managed just 8 points on 3-of-12 shooting in the period, their offensive struggles epitomized by a stretch of over five minutes without a field goal.

Kennesaw State showed signs of life after halftime, opening the third quarter on a 7-3 run to cut the deficit to 42-29. But every time the Owls threatened, Middle Tennessee had an answer, usually from beyond the arc. The Blue Raiders finished 11 for 25 from three-point range, a stark contrast to Kennesaw State’s 1-for-8 performance. The Owls also were hampered by 20 turnovers, which Middle Tennessee converted into 18 points.

Trynce Taylor led Kennesaw State with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Latazia Williamson added 14 points and 6 rebounds, with 12 of her points coming in the second half. The Owls dominated points in the paint, 32-18, but could not overcome their perimeter shooting woes and the turnover disparity.

Middle Tennessee’s offensive efficiency was a key factor, scoring 71 points on 67 possessions for a rating of 106.6, while Kennesaw State managed just 53 points on 66 possessions for an 80.5 rating. The Blue Raiders also shared the ball effectively, recording 8 assists to the Owls’ 4, and were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, making 14 of 16 attempts.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Middle Tennessee, which also defeated Kennesaw State 60-47 on Jan. 2. It marked the Blue Raiders’ third win in their last four games as they continue to push above .500 in conference play. Kennesaw State, coming off a road win at Western Kentucky, saw its two-game winning streak snapped.

Middle Tennessee next travels to face Western Kentucky on Feb. 21. Kennesaw State returns home to host Sam Houston on Feb. 19.