Shorthanded Raiders fall to FIU

Friday, January 8

Murfreesboro, TN

6:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

-25,01 CUSA

FIU

-83,21 CUSA

FIU

Middle Tennessee

Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications

Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications

Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications

1/8/2021 8:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Season Stats (PDF)Box Score (PDF)

Jalen Jordan tallies season-high 17 points

By: @MTAthletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — An undermanned Middle Tennessee squad put up an inspiring fight against FIU Friday but ran out of gas late, falling 68-55 at home.

It was the Blue Raiders' Conference USA opener after their last four games — two against Bellarmine to end the nonconference and two with league foe Florida Atlantic — were canceled or postponed due to COVID-19.

The Raiders (2-5, 0-1) hadn't played since a Dec. 16 home loss to Ole Miss, a span of 23 days, and they were down to only nine players with a handful out due the virus and contact tracing. Some unavoidable rust early and fatigue down the stretch were evident, as the Panthers (8-3, 2-1) turned a tie with 8:27 left into a 13-point victory.

"I was really proud of our team's effort, not only tonight, but their attitude and how they've handled the last couple of weeks," MT head coach Nick McDevitt said. "Not once were our players complaining. They showed up every day working hard.

"I thought our effort was there, and we gave ourselves a chance to win."

Middle Tennessee showed a lot of fight that made McDevitt proud.

After falling behind by eight points a few times in the first six minutes, the Blue Raiders used a 9-0 run to eventually lead 18-17.

Then, after going into halftime within striking distance down 32-24 despite committing 12 turnovers and only shooting 35.7% (14.3% from 3-point range), MT battled back and led three times, the last being its largest at 45-42 with about 12 minutes remaining.

"To have that little court time and to put yourself in position to win a league game … that makes you proud," McDevitt said. "Those were the cards we were dealt, and our guys just tried to control what they could control. I'm really proud of their effort. I'm disappointed that we lost, but I'm really proud of what they did as a group."

The game was a grind offensively for most of the way, playing right into MT's hands.

FIU went into the night ranked second in the nation in 3-pointers made per game and 18^th averaging 82.7 points. The Blue Raiders made a concerted effort to slow things down and use their good defensive ability — they went second in C-USA in 3-point defense and fourth in steals — to keep things close.

Middle Tennessee executed its defensive game plan well until some fatigue set in late, holding the Panthers to six made 3-pointers and only 68 points, both season lows. Its problem was turnovers, as the 12 committed in the first half were followed by nine more in the second.

"We had too many turnovers to give ourselves a chance to win," McDevitt said. "I'd say we were a little tired, but that will be the same case tomorrow. We have to find a way to fight through that so we don't have the same result."

Junior Jalen Jordan led the way for MT on the offensive end, setting season highs for points, shots made and attempted, and minutes played. He scored 17 points, 14 coming in the second half, on 6-of-10 shooting, including four 3-pointers.

"I'm upset we lost today — I'd rather we win than my personal performance being good — but it always feels good to get in a good rhythm," he said. "My teammates instill a lot of confidence in me."

Senior Jo'Vontae Millner-Criss added nine points and seven rebounds in his first game since Dec. 12, and junior Jordan Davis also had nine points.

Eight of the nine players who were available for Middle Tennessee scored.

The Blue Raiders will try to rebound Saturday against the same Panthers again at the Murphy Center at 4 p.m.

"As a whole team, we need more rest," Jordan said. "It's definitely important to get the right fluids in our bodies and eat the right stuff and get a good night's rest. We'll rebound and be ready to go tomorrow."