Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Thursday, January 12
Murfreesboro, TN
7 PM
Middle Tennessee
14-3, 4-0
69
vs
57
Marshall
11-7, 4-1
1
2
F
Marshall
29
28
57
Middle Tennessee
37
32
69
Team Stats
MAR
MT
FG%
.370
.403
3FG%
.263
.294
FT%
.600
.750
RB
25
58
TO
14
19
STL
13
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballPhoto by: Brent Beerends
Raider defense smothers high-scoring Herd, 69-57
1/12/2017 9:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Marshall held under 70 for first time in 2016-17
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – There is now only one unbeaten team in Conference USA, as Middle Tennessee grabbed ahold of the early conference lead with a 69-57 win over Marshall Thursday night at the Murphy Center.
The Thundering Herd (11-7, 3-1) went into the game hot, winners of four in a row, but the Blue Raiders (14-3, 4-0) used a strong defensive effort to halt their streak. It was the fourth win in a row for MT.
"That's about as well as we've defended all year," MT head coach Kermit Davis said. "I was really proud, because we weren't at our best offensively."
Middle Tennessee did what no other team has been able to do against the Herd this season: hold them under 70 points.
Marshall went into the game as the nation's sixth-highest scoring team and C-USA's best at 89.9 points per game, and the Thundering Herd had scored over 80 points in 12-straight contests. The Blue Raiders weren't intimidated, though, and behind their tough defense jumped to a 37-29 halftime lead and cruised through the second half for the win.
"I thought our physicality was good, our changing of defenses was good – I was really proud," Davis said.
The Herd managed to shoot just 37 percent (20-54) from the field, and Middle Tennessee came up with six blocks as a team, which tied its season high.
The Raiders also corralled Conference USA's leading scorer. Thundering Herd junior Jon Elmore went into the game averaging 21.1 points per game, but he finished with just 10 on two-of-seven shooting.
"He's a terrific player and is one of my favorite players I've seen in our league in a long time," Davis said. "I thought when he was driving to the goal we really contested shots at the rim and made him try to make tough twos. When he plays in that open floor and has freedom, he's as good as there is and you just chase him."
While Elmore struggled from the field, Middle Tennessee leading scorer JaCorey Williams (17.4 ppg) enjoyed a fruitful night.
The redshirt senior was aggressive from the start and finished with 16 points on eight-of-18 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. He's now scored in double figures in every conference game this season and is averaging 15 points and eight boards in C-USA play.
"I always go back to practice," Williams said. "I don't think any opponent can compete with us like how we compete with each other in practice. We're so physical at practice that it just carries over to the game."
Along with its strong defense, Middle Tennessee used its advantage down low to limit Marshall to one shot on most possessions. The Raiders also had a lot of success going to the offensive boards.
The Herd went into the game averaging 3.9 rebounds less than their opponents per game (304th rebound margin in the nation), and the Blue Raiders took advantage by outrebounding MU 58-25. The output set a new season high for MT, and its 22 offensive boards also made a new season-high mark.
"You have to compete every day at practice," Williams said. "If we come in and focus on defensive rebounding the same way, we'll come out with good results."
Junior Giddy Potts had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Raiders, and freshman Tyrik Dixon added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Blue Raiders will put their perfect C-USA record on the line Saturday when rival WKU travels to the Murphy Center. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game can be seen on ASN.
The Thundering Herd (11-7, 3-1) went into the game hot, winners of four in a row, but the Blue Raiders (14-3, 4-0) used a strong defensive effort to halt their streak. It was the fourth win in a row for MT.
"That's about as well as we've defended all year," MT head coach Kermit Davis said. "I was really proud, because we weren't at our best offensively."
Middle Tennessee did what no other team has been able to do against the Herd this season: hold them under 70 points.
Marshall went into the game as the nation's sixth-highest scoring team and C-USA's best at 89.9 points per game, and the Thundering Herd had scored over 80 points in 12-straight contests. The Blue Raiders weren't intimidated, though, and behind their tough defense jumped to a 37-29 halftime lead and cruised through the second half for the win.
"I thought our physicality was good, our changing of defenses was good – I was really proud," Davis said.
The Herd managed to shoot just 37 percent (20-54) from the field, and Middle Tennessee came up with six blocks as a team, which tied its season high.
The Raiders also corralled Conference USA's leading scorer. Thundering Herd junior Jon Elmore went into the game averaging 21.1 points per game, but he finished with just 10 on two-of-seven shooting.
"He's a terrific player and is one of my favorite players I've seen in our league in a long time," Davis said. "I thought when he was driving to the goal we really contested shots at the rim and made him try to make tough twos. When he plays in that open floor and has freedom, he's as good as there is and you just chase him."
While Elmore struggled from the field, Middle Tennessee leading scorer JaCorey Williams (17.4 ppg) enjoyed a fruitful night.
The redshirt senior was aggressive from the start and finished with 16 points on eight-of-18 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. He's now scored in double figures in every conference game this season and is averaging 15 points and eight boards in C-USA play.
"I always go back to practice," Williams said. "I don't think any opponent can compete with us like how we compete with each other in practice. We're so physical at practice that it just carries over to the game."
Along with its strong defense, Middle Tennessee used its advantage down low to limit Marshall to one shot on most possessions. The Raiders also had a lot of success going to the offensive boards.
The Herd went into the game averaging 3.9 rebounds less than their opponents per game (304th rebound margin in the nation), and the Blue Raiders took advantage by outrebounding MU 58-25. The output set a new season high for MT, and its 22 offensive boards also made a new season-high mark.
"You have to compete every day at practice," Williams said. "If we come in and focus on defensive rebounding the same way, we'll come out with good results."
Junior Giddy Potts had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Raiders, and freshman Tyrik Dixon added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Blue Raiders will put their perfect C-USA record on the line Saturday when rival WKU travels to the Murphy Center. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game can be seen on ASN.
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
