MTSU raise money for breast cancer in 'Pink Zone'

Middle Tennessee State University lady raiders women's basketball team defeated North Texas 113-58 in the Murphy Center on Sunday during 'Pink Zone.'

Junior forward Alysha Clark, who has now picked up her fifth Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honor, had 30 points alone against North Texas. Close behind, junior forward Brandi Brown had 21 points and was 6-9 from 3 point range.

However, sophomore forward Emily Queen only had 2 points after rolling her ankle and coming down on it wrong. Queen only played 16 minutes and will have to have an MRI to determine whether or not she can play on Wednesday against South Alabama.

From the beginning of the game until the final seconds, MT never let up. Head coach Rick Insell said that once his team gets into the feeling they can be pretty dangerous.

After the game was over the lady raiders auctioned off their jerseys to raise money for breast cancer research. Last year the team raised $18,000 and are expected to exceed that amount.

Vanderbilt defeats Georgia in 'Pink Zone'

Vanderbilt commodore fans were on their feet today cheering as the women's basketball team steamrolled Georgia with back-to-back baskets down the stretch and 9-20 3 pointers. Vandy won 80-64.

The theme Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn. today was "Pink Zone/Think Pink" to raise awareness and money for breast cancer.

Throughout the first half, there were a significant number of lead changes, and one tie, 24 up, with 2:36 to go. Vandy's Jessica Mooney definitely made the play for this team with an assist, steal and layup down the court that allowed Vanderbilt to take the lead. Vandy led by five points at halftime.

Starting out the second half, Georgia tried to come strong with a basket from Christy Marshall, but could not match the intensity of Vandy's Tuomi Hannah. Hannah ended up with 10 points.

Mooney only had 4 points but made the last two shots of the game on the foul line.

Photo: Georgia head coach Andy Landers hangs his head after another disappointing play. This picture is not taken from today's game against Vanderbilt.

Alysha Clark breaks MTSU scoring record

On Wednesday, Feb. 11 Junior forward Alysha Clark set the Middle Tennessee State University single game scoring record with 50 points against Troy.

Clark went 20 out of 28 under the basket, and 10 for 11 at the free throw line. She had 9 rebounds and shot 71 percent from the field.

MT defeated Troy 75-60. They now will move on to face North Texas Sunday, Feb. 15 in the Murphy Center.

This game will have a Pink Zone theme, where the lady raiders will auction off their jerseys after the game. Money raised by the auction will be donated to fund cancer research in honor of N.C. State women's basketball head coach Kay Yowe, who died last month of cancer complications.

Photo by Alex Blackwelder

N.C. State women's basketball coach dies

Women's college basketball lose legendary coach at 66 to cancer.

N.C. State head coach Kay Yow died on Jan. 25 after losing a long battle with cancer, dating back to 1987 when she underwent surgery for breast cancer.

During her career, Yow inspired generations of players, won 737 games, is honored in the Women's Basketball Coach Hall of Fame and is No. 6 on the women's coaching career list.

After Yow's surgery in the late '80s, the cancer returned over a decade later in 2004. Yow was told in 2006 that the cancer had spread to her liver, and took a 16-game leave of absence. Even though Yow wasn't sitting on the sidelines rooting her team on, her players brought a lot of heart and passion to prove to Yow just how much she meant to them.

Watching N.C. State upset No. 1 ranked Duke in the A.C.C. tournament in 2007 really gave Yow a reason to continue coaching. Her players wanted to win the NCAA championship for their coach, and she wanted them to achieve something they could cherish for the rest of their lives.

Following Yow's return, players began wearing pink shoelaces and headbands for breast cancer.

The NCAA also got involved with Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Think Pink" or now "Pink Zone" to help raise money to be donated to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

Teams participating in "Think Pink" or "Pink Zone" would not only wear pink accessories but wore pink uniforms to raise awareness about breast cancer and money for the foundation.

Unfortunately, N.C. State did not make it to the final four, but did inspire people with their determination to overcome ranking status and make an impression early on in the year.

Kay Yow's obituary in The New York Times.