Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Friday, November 12
Murfreesboro, TN
6:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
-20,00 CUSA
71
vs
51
Bethune-Cookman
0-2,0-0SWAC
1
2
F
Bethune-Cookman
23
28
51
Middle Tenn.
35
36
71
Team Stats
BCU
MTSU
FG%
.463
.472
3FG%
.273
.348
FT%
.625
.684
RB
30
29
TO
20
9
STL
5
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
Middle Tennessee cruises past Bethune-Cookman, 71-51
11/12/2021 9:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee turned a top-notch defensive performance into a win on Friday night, cruising past Bethune-Cookman 71-51 to improve to 2-0 on the season in the Murphy Center.
The Blue Raiders forced the Wildcats into 20 turnovers, scoring 25 points off of the change in possession to pull away from the SWAC team down the stretch.
Middle Tennessee has forced 48 turnovers to open the season, the most turnovers forced by a MT team in their first two games in over 20 years.
"I was really pleased with our team tonight," head coach Nick McDevitt said. "Our effort was good [from] tip to buzzer. We didn't get everything right every possession, but I thought our effort was right. Every guy that went in contributed in some form or fashion."
Three Blue Raiders scored at least 10 points on Friday, with Josh Jefferson leading the way with 11. The 6-2 guard also hauled in four rebounds on the night. DeAndre Dishman earned player of the game honors for his 10 points and three assists, none bigger than the pass to cutting Teafale Lenard Jr. late in the second half, who slammed home an easy dunk in front of a frozen Wildcat defense.
"It's a big energy play," Dishman said. "I got the ball in the post, and (Lenard) is one of our bigger guys on the court, so I looked for him to cut. And I know he's explosive and he can finish at the rim."
Lenard led the team in rebounds for the second time in two games this season, hauling in six boards to go with eight points on a perfect 4-for-4 clip from the field.
"I know Dish has got really good vision," Lenard said. "I saw No. 30 (Joe French) look toward him, and I thought it was the perfect time to cut."
Middle Tennessee's defensive prowess kept Bethune-Cookman from even attempting shots, as the Wildcats only put up 41 field attempts from the floor compared to 53 from the Blue Raiders. Eight different MT players earned at least one steal, as McDevitt's full court press gave Bethune-Cookman trouble early and often, forcing them into wasted possessions and giving Middle Tennessee extra opportunities.
Isaiah Turner led the Blue Raiders off the bench with 10 points of his own, shooting 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. The JuCo product from Odessa College has scored in the double digits in both of MT's first two games this season. He was trailed close behind by Elias King, who scored nine points off the bench for Middle Tennessee. In all, McDevitt's seven substitutes combined for 35 points on the night.
"I think our team is deep," McDevitt said. "I don't know that we have the 'LeBron James', where clearly he's your best player. But also there's no one that is down there on the bench to start the game that you don't feel like you can put into the game and he can contribute. I think because of that, it allows us to play 10-11 deep, and perhaps force your opponent to play deeper than they want to."
Middle Tennessee led 35-23 at halftime, aided in part by converting 12 Bethune-Cookman turnovers into 18 points at the break. The Blue Raiders held the Wildcats to just 19 shots from the field in the first 20 minutes, compared to 29 chances for MT.
The Blue Raiders forced the Wildcats into 20 turnovers, scoring 25 points off of the change in possession to pull away from the SWAC team down the stretch.
Middle Tennessee has forced 48 turnovers to open the season, the most turnovers forced by a MT team in their first two games in over 20 years.
"I was really pleased with our team tonight," head coach Nick McDevitt said. "Our effort was good [from] tip to buzzer. We didn't get everything right every possession, but I thought our effort was right. Every guy that went in contributed in some form or fashion."
Three Blue Raiders scored at least 10 points on Friday, with Josh Jefferson leading the way with 11. The 6-2 guard also hauled in four rebounds on the night. DeAndre Dishman earned player of the game honors for his 10 points and three assists, none bigger than the pass to cutting Teafale Lenard Jr. late in the second half, who slammed home an easy dunk in front of a frozen Wildcat defense.
"It's a big energy play," Dishman said. "I got the ball in the post, and (Lenard) is one of our bigger guys on the court, so I looked for him to cut. And I know he's explosive and he can finish at the rim."
Lenard led the team in rebounds for the second time in two games this season, hauling in six boards to go with eight points on a perfect 4-for-4 clip from the field.
"I know Dish has got really good vision," Lenard said. "I saw No. 30 (Joe French) look toward him, and I thought it was the perfect time to cut."
Middle Tennessee's defensive prowess kept Bethune-Cookman from even attempting shots, as the Wildcats only put up 41 field attempts from the floor compared to 53 from the Blue Raiders. Eight different MT players earned at least one steal, as McDevitt's full court press gave Bethune-Cookman trouble early and often, forcing them into wasted possessions and giving Middle Tennessee extra opportunities.
Isaiah Turner led the Blue Raiders off the bench with 10 points of his own, shooting 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. The JuCo product from Odessa College has scored in the double digits in both of MT's first two games this season. He was trailed close behind by Elias King, who scored nine points off the bench for Middle Tennessee. In all, McDevitt's seven substitutes combined for 35 points on the night.
"I think our team is deep," McDevitt said. "I don't know that we have the 'LeBron James', where clearly he's your best player. But also there's no one that is down there on the bench to start the game that you don't feel like you can put into the game and he can contribute. I think because of that, it allows us to play 10-11 deep, and perhaps force your opponent to play deeper than they want to."
Middle Tennessee led 35-23 at halftime, aided in part by converting 12 Bethune-Cookman turnovers into 18 points at the break. The Blue Raiders held the Wildcats to just 19 shots from the field in the first 20 minutes, compared to 29 chances for MT.
- Middle Tennessee improves to 2-0 for the fourth time in five years
- The Blue Raiders have forced 48 turnovers through their first two games, their most through the first two games of any season in the last 20 years
- MT is now 23-4 all-time against current members of the SWAC
- Friday's game was Bethune-Cookman's second game in the last two seasons
- The Blue Raiders' depth has proven itself through two games this season, as 84 of 169 points (49.7 percent) have come from reserves
- Teafale Lenard, Jr. has led MT in rebounds in each of his first two career games
- Eleven of the 12 Blue Raiders to see the floor scored at least one point. Eleven players also finished with positive +/- ratings.
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
