Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Friday, November 25
Nashville, TN
7:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
4-1
68
vs
63
UNC Wilmington
3-1
1
2
F
UNC-Wilmington
29
34
63
Middle Tennessee
35
33
68
Team Stats
UNCW
MT
FG%
.339
.600
3FG%
.278
.444
FT%
.846
.500
RB
32
33
TO
18
16
STL
3
12
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
9
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
Middle wins Challenge in Music City opener
11/25/2016 11:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Blue Raiders down UNC Wilmington, 68-63
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee played away from the Murphy Center for the first time this season Friday night, beating UNC Wilmington 68-63 on the first day of the Challenge in Music City.
"We beat a really tough team that's built to win," MT Head Coach Kermit Davis said. "That team knows how to win – they made some unbelievable plays down the stretch.
"I'm going to say that's one of our better nonconference wins we've had in a while."
The Seahawks (3-1) went into the tournament as the lone unbeaten in the four-team field that also includes Evansville and Toledo. It was their first time in school history squaring off against the Blue Raiders (4-1).
UNCW's guards came into the game hot offensively, with three players averaging over 10 points a game through its first three games. A Middle Tennessee guard stole the show at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium, though.
Junior Giddy Potts scored 15 of his team-high 22 points in the second half, including a deep 3-pointer with 43 seconds left and the shot clock running down that gave MT a 64-61 lead. He finished 9-of-13 shooting from the field and also racked up eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals on the night.
"I've been doing that the last couple of games, but my scoring brought it all out," Potts said. "Coach always tells me I can affect the game in other ways than just scoring."
One of UNC Wilmington's only downfalls in its perfect start to the season was its lack of size, and Middle Tennessee took advantage of that Friday.
The Blue Raiders outscored the Seahawks 28-14 in the paint, and with their length caused Wilmington to hit just 33.9 percent (21-62) from the floor and 27.8 percent (10-36) from 3-point range.
"We really wanted to get the ball down low … and really we just tried to guard their smaller guards," redshirt senior JaCorey Williams said.
Middle also used its size advantage to bully UNCW down low and draw fouls. The Raiders went to the free-throw line 32 times, compared to just 13 for the Seahawks.
The issue wasn't getting to the line for MT, it was finishing once it got there. The Blue Raiders hit just 16-of-32 shots from the charity stripe.
"I really don't know what it was; it seems like we work on free-throws more than anybody in the country," Potts said. "I think we'll come out tomorrow and make some free throws."
Redshirt senior JaCorey Williams was the main Seahawk killer offensively in the first half. The 6-foot-8 forward had a size advantage and used it effectively prior to the break, scoring 14 of his 16 points before halftime. He also had five rebounds.
Senior Reggie Upshaw added 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed four boards.
In the second of three games in the Challenge in Music City, the Blue Raiders will square off with a familiar foe on Saturday. They will face the Toledo Rockets, whom MT beat 80-70 on Tuesday.
"I thought [Toledo] had a great win [Friday] against a good Evansville team," Davis said. "I know it's going to be a tough battle, and we have to get our same kind of focus and mindset right back, because I know Toledo is going to come out and play well tomorrow."
The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium.
"We beat a really tough team that's built to win," MT Head Coach Kermit Davis said. "That team knows how to win – they made some unbelievable plays down the stretch.
"I'm going to say that's one of our better nonconference wins we've had in a while."
The Seahawks (3-1) went into the tournament as the lone unbeaten in the four-team field that also includes Evansville and Toledo. It was their first time in school history squaring off against the Blue Raiders (4-1).
UNCW's guards came into the game hot offensively, with three players averaging over 10 points a game through its first three games. A Middle Tennessee guard stole the show at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium, though.
Junior Giddy Potts scored 15 of his team-high 22 points in the second half, including a deep 3-pointer with 43 seconds left and the shot clock running down that gave MT a 64-61 lead. He finished 9-of-13 shooting from the field and also racked up eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals on the night.
"I've been doing that the last couple of games, but my scoring brought it all out," Potts said. "Coach always tells me I can affect the game in other ways than just scoring."
One of UNC Wilmington's only downfalls in its perfect start to the season was its lack of size, and Middle Tennessee took advantage of that Friday.
The Blue Raiders outscored the Seahawks 28-14 in the paint, and with their length caused Wilmington to hit just 33.9 percent (21-62) from the floor and 27.8 percent (10-36) from 3-point range.
"We really wanted to get the ball down low … and really we just tried to guard their smaller guards," redshirt senior JaCorey Williams said.
Middle also used its size advantage to bully UNCW down low and draw fouls. The Raiders went to the free-throw line 32 times, compared to just 13 for the Seahawks.
The issue wasn't getting to the line for MT, it was finishing once it got there. The Blue Raiders hit just 16-of-32 shots from the charity stripe.
"I really don't know what it was; it seems like we work on free-throws more than anybody in the country," Potts said. "I think we'll come out tomorrow and make some free throws."
Redshirt senior JaCorey Williams was the main Seahawk killer offensively in the first half. The 6-foot-8 forward had a size advantage and used it effectively prior to the break, scoring 14 of his 16 points before halftime. He also had five rebounds.
Senior Reggie Upshaw added 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed four boards.
In the second of three games in the Challenge in Music City, the Blue Raiders will square off with a familiar foe on Saturday. They will face the Toledo Rockets, whom MT beat 80-70 on Tuesday.
"I thought [Toledo] had a great win [Friday] against a good Evansville team," Davis said. "I know it's going to be a tough battle, and we have to get our same kind of focus and mindset right back, because I know Toledo is going to come out and play well tomorrow."
The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium.
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
2025 Blue Raider Blitz Media Panel
Thursday, July 03
MTSU Men's Basketball Coach Nick McDevitt interview at 2025 Blue Raider Blitz
Monday, June 30
MTSU Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs Chattanooga NIT 3/18/25
Tuesday, March 18
