Auburn women’s basketball continues a demanding road stretch Tuesday night with a chance to flip the script.
The Tigers are in the middle of a five-day, three-game, three-state swing and will square off against Middle Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. CT inside the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro. It’s a key opportunity for Auburn to halt a three-game skid and regain momentum before the calendar turns toward conference play.
A Narrow Margin, But Signs of Progress
Auburn (8-3) hasn’t been far off despite three straight losses, all decided by six points or fewer. The most recent setback came Sunday at Seton Hall, where the Tigers showed real offensive growth even in defeat.
Kaitlyn Duhon delivered a breakout performance, pouring in a career-high 20 points while going a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. Auburn knocked down a season-high 11 three-pointers overall and shot 52 percent in the second half, nearly erasing an early deficit.
Ja’Mia Harris added 17 points and seven rebounds, A’riel Jackson chipped in 10 points and four assists, and Khady Leye provided steady production inside with eight points and seven boards. The difference ultimately came down to free throws, as Auburn left six points at the line in the second half.
The formula is close. Now the Tigers are looking to finish.
What’s at Stake Tuesday Night
An Auburn win would carry more weight than just the record:
- A 9-3 start to the season
- Auburn’s second true road win of the year
- The Tigers’ first win in the state of Tennessee since 2019
- A clean snap of the current three-game losing streak
For a team still building confidence away from home, those boxes matter.
A Rare Trip to Murfreesboro
This matchup marks just the sixth all-time meeting between Auburn and Middle Tennessee in women’s basketball. Auburn leads the series 4-1, but this is the Tigers’ first trip to Murfreesboro since 1999.
The most recent meeting didn’t go Auburn’s way. Middle Tennessee controlled the opener of the 2019 Gulf Coast Showcase, capitalizing on turnovers and shooting struggles to pull away early. Tuesday offers a chance at both revenge and growth for a very different Auburn roster.
Scouting Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee enters at 4-6 and is still searching for its first win against an SEC opponent this season after losses to Tennessee and Mississippi State. The Blue Raiders are 2-2 at home and coming off a road loss at Southern Indiana.
Despite some early bumps, this is a program that knows how to win. Middle Tennessee went 26-9 last season, captured the CUSA regular-season title, and earned a WBIT berth. While they return no starters from that team, expectations remain high after being picked third in the conference preseason poll.
Blair Baugus is the engine, averaging 13.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and providing a physical presence inside that Auburn will need to account for. The interior has been a problem for the Tigers this season, so far.
How to Watch and Listen
- Radio: Brit Bowen on ESPN 106.7 FM (coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. CT)
- Streaming: ESPN+ (subscription required)
The Bottom Line
Auburn has been close. Very close.
Tuesday night is about turning flashes into results, confidence into consistency, and effort into execution. If the Tigers can carry over their shooting rhythm, that will be crucial. Though they have been forcing a lot of turnovers, they have been giving it back just as frequently. If the Tigers clean up the turnover margins, this road trip could still end on a high note.
This MTSU squad has talent, but lacks depth. This game may be about outlasting the opponent. Having just played 2 days ago, though, how sharp and fresh will Auburn be? Look for the defense to wear away at those starters for MTSU and Auburn can come out victorious
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT in Murfreesboro.
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