Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Sunday, December 19
Murfreesboro, TN
2:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
-93,00 CUSA
84
vs
80
Coastal Carolina
7-4,0-0Sun Belt
1
2
F
Coastal Carolina
37
43
80
Middle Tenn.
35
49
84
Team Stats
CCU
MTSU
FG%
.467
.458
3FG%
.520
.364
FT%
.688
.783
RB
37
33
TO
16
12
STL
8
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
Middle Tennessee Wins Tight Contest over Coastal Carolina
12/19/2021 5:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Five Blue Raiders score at least 10 points against the Sun Belt opponent
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee men's basketball grinded out a tough non-conference win at the Murphy Center on Sunday afternoon, enduring a back-and-forth game that featured 15 lead changes to earn an 84-80 win over Coastal Carolina in team's final non-conference home game of the season.
Josh Jefferson led the Blue Raiders with 17 points on the afternoon, tying a career high with five made three-pointers, one of five MT players scoring in double digits against the Chanticleers. Donovan Sims was clutch at the free throw line, draining four free throws late in the game to help put away CCU, while every single Blue Raider that checked into the game scored at least one point and hauled in at least one rebound. Justin Bufford tied his career high with 12 points and set a new career high with eight made free throws.
"It was probably the most complete win we had all season," head coach Nick McDevitt said. "It took everybody's best effort. Any time you play a Cliff Ellis coached team, you're going to face a team that's tough. They're physical around the basket, they're one of the best teams in the country at offensive rebounds.
"They're going to throw the book at you defensively, they switch up defenses a lot, try to trip you up, get your mind working fast, and slow your feet down. I thought our guys did a nice job of playing physical and being alert mentally to what they were throwing at us."
Points off turnovers were once again critical for Middle Tennessee (8-3), as the Blue Raiders outscored the Chanticleers 23-13 in that category. They also led Coastal Carolina (6-4) in points in the paint (26-24), fast break points (13-11) and points off the bench (26-5).
"We all want the best for each other, everybody in the program from the coaches to the players," Jefferson said. "So we're playing our hearts out for each other, making the right decisions, and so far so good."
Middle Tennessee entered the locker room at halftime trailing by just two points, 37-35, after a late rainbow three-pointer attempt from Coastal Carolina found the net to give the Chanticleers the lead at the break. Eight different Blue Raiders scored in the first 20 minutes, led by nine points from Jefferson, who scored all nine points on three-pointers.
Middle Tennessee will play their final non-conference game on the road against Chattanooga on Wednesday, December 22, with a tipoff at 6 pm central. After a quick holiday break, the Blue Raiders will then open up C-USA play in the Glass House against UTSA on Thursday, December 30. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 pm.
"I like everything that I've seen from our team so far," McDevitt said. "We've shown the ability to win our home games, win neutral site games, now we've got to continue sneaking more wins on the road. I like the fact that we're 6-0 at the Murphy Center, you have to do that to be towards the top of the conference. You have to win all your home games, and you have find a way to sneak some out on the road.
Game Notes
Josh Jefferson led the Blue Raiders with 17 points on the afternoon, tying a career high with five made three-pointers, one of five MT players scoring in double digits against the Chanticleers. Donovan Sims was clutch at the free throw line, draining four free throws late in the game to help put away CCU, while every single Blue Raider that checked into the game scored at least one point and hauled in at least one rebound. Justin Bufford tied his career high with 12 points and set a new career high with eight made free throws.
"It was probably the most complete win we had all season," head coach Nick McDevitt said. "It took everybody's best effort. Any time you play a Cliff Ellis coached team, you're going to face a team that's tough. They're physical around the basket, they're one of the best teams in the country at offensive rebounds.
"They're going to throw the book at you defensively, they switch up defenses a lot, try to trip you up, get your mind working fast, and slow your feet down. I thought our guys did a nice job of playing physical and being alert mentally to what they were throwing at us."
Points off turnovers were once again critical for Middle Tennessee (8-3), as the Blue Raiders outscored the Chanticleers 23-13 in that category. They also led Coastal Carolina (6-4) in points in the paint (26-24), fast break points (13-11) and points off the bench (26-5).
"We all want the best for each other, everybody in the program from the coaches to the players," Jefferson said. "So we're playing our hearts out for each other, making the right decisions, and so far so good."
Middle Tennessee entered the locker room at halftime trailing by just two points, 37-35, after a late rainbow three-pointer attempt from Coastal Carolina found the net to give the Chanticleers the lead at the break. Eight different Blue Raiders scored in the first 20 minutes, led by nine points from Jefferson, who scored all nine points on three-pointers.
Middle Tennessee will play their final non-conference game on the road against Chattanooga on Wednesday, December 22, with a tipoff at 6 pm central. After a quick holiday break, the Blue Raiders will then open up C-USA play in the Glass House against UTSA on Thursday, December 30. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 pm.
"I like everything that I've seen from our team so far," McDevitt said. "We've shown the ability to win our home games, win neutral site games, now we've got to continue sneaking more wins on the road. I like the fact that we're 6-0 at the Murphy Center, you have to do that to be towards the top of the conference. You have to win all your home games, and you have find a way to sneak some out on the road.
Game Notes
- The Blue Raiders extended their win streak at Murphy Center to eight games, dating back to February 6, 2021
- Jefferson's five made 3-pointers tied a career high.
- Bufford's 12 points and eight rebounds were both career highs
- The game's 15 lead changes were the most in any of Middle Tennessee's games this season.
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
