Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
-73,10 CUSA
Belmont
6-5,1-1MVC
Blue Raiders finish strong in overtime win at Belmont
12/10/2022 7:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After a back-and-forth barn burner of a regulation, Middle Tennessee dominated the overtime period Saturday for an 85-75 win over Belmont at the Curb Event Center. The Blue Raiders held the Bruins to 1-for-9 from the floor in the extra period.
Teafale Lenard, Jr., played hero on both ends of the court in the closing seconds of regulation. The sophomore from Snyder, Texas, put the Blue Raiders in the lead with a driving layup with 14 seconds left and took a charge with 3.5 remaining on the ensuing possession.
After Camryn Weston knocked down two free throws, Belmont's Ben Sheppard knocked down his eighth three-pointer of the game to send it to overtime.
Lenard set career highs with 20 points and six blocked shots. DeAndre Dishman added 16 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the year.
Camryn Weston added 13 points, while Elias King and Eli Lawrence contributed 11 apiece.
By the Numbers
79: Lenard moved into a tie with Trevor Ottley for sixth all-time with 79 career blocks
13: The Blue Raiders set a program record with 13 blocked shots.
50: MTSU outscored Belmont 50-14 in the paint.
Blue Raider Notes
- MTSU won its first true road game of the season in a gym where the Bruins had been 53-4 over the previous five season.
- The Blue Raiders snapped a three-game losing streak to Belmont.
- The Blue Raiders' 48 rebounds were a season high.
Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt
"I thought our guys just stayed mentally tough. I liked what they were saying to each other in the huddle in between the end of regulation and overtime. To say that and then go out there and do it, I thought, showed a lot of mental toughness. You're always on edge with Belmont because of the way everybody shoots the ball."
Up Next
Middle Tennessee returns home to take on Chattanooga on Thursday as the Blue Raiders celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Murphy Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
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