Elias King/Men's Basketball | Middle Tennessee State University
Elias King/Men's Basketball | Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee's first-half explosion gave it a comfortable lead Saturday as it cruised to a 68-51 win over LA Tech at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Blue Raider bench outscored the Bulldog reserves 36-12 in the victory against a team that had won 73 of its previous 84 home games.
The Blue Raiders (13-7,6-3 Conference USA) took a 43-24 lead into the locker room at halftime on the strength of an eight-for-15 (.533) shooting performance from 3-point range. Elias King scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half, making three of his five 3-point attempts.
MTSU held LA Tech to its lowest 3-point percentage of the year at .143 (3-21), including an 0-for-8 drought in the second half. The Bulldogs' mark of .388 (19-49) from the floor was their lowest since December 17.
King's 17 points led the Blue Raiders and set a new career high. Jestin Porter added 12 points off the bench. DeAndre Dishman led MTSU with five rebounds on the night. Teafale Lenard, Jr. came on shy of his personal best with a team-leading four assists to go along with 11 points of his own. By the Numbers .478: The Blue Raiders' .478 3-point percentage was its third-highest mark of the year. 16: Middle Tennessee's 16 assists were its second-most on the year. 2: The win was MTSU's second ever at LA Tech in a rivalry that dates back to 1959-60. Blue Raider Notes
- The Blue Raiders finished with more assists than turnovers for the fifth time all season.
- MTSU's 17-point margin of victory was its largest since a 69-46 win over Maryville on December 3.
- The Blue Raiders' largest lead of 21 points was the second-largest the Bulldogs had faced all season.
- Nick McDevitt takes sole possession of fifth place in MTSU history with 34 conference victories.
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