Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Thursday, February 10
Murfreesboro, TN
6:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
-167,73 CUSA
63
vs
48
Old Dominion
-915,47 CUSA
1
2
F
Old Dominion
30
18
48
Middle Tenn.
30
33
63
Team Stats
ODU
MTSU
FG%
.346
.390
3FG%
.167
.357
FT%
.526
.875
RB
37
37
TO
16
12
STL
4
9
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
Blue Raiders Blitz Past Monarchs with Second Half-Opening Run
2/10/2022 9:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
A 20-0 run across nearly eight minutes of the second half led MT to the C-USA win
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee men's basketball came out of the locker room locked in, dominating all aspects of the game over the next eight minutes as they went on a 20-0 run to breeze past Old Dominion on Thursday night at the Murphy Center.
The Blue Raiders (16-7, 7-3 C-USA) entered the second half tied with the Monarchs (9-15, 4-7 C-USA) at 30-30, but 13 points from Eli Lawrence in that 20-0 run helped spark MT to their 13th straight home win. The sophomore guard finished the night with a team-leading 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
"I've been waiting on one of these type of games," Lawrence said. "It just felt more important because I turned the game, I feel like, in my opinion. I just know my defensive pressure and energy just helps us win."
His head coach, Nick McDevitt agreed, saying the Atlanta native was "extremely" important in MT snapping a four game losing streak to ODU.
"We were talking at half time, we need some tough twos, get in there and make some plays," McDevitt said. "Man, he was listening. He flipped the energy of the game in the building."
The Blue Raiders held Old Dominion to just 24 percent shooting from the field in the second half, including an 0-for-8 clip beyond the arc for the Monarchs. MT drilled 10 threes, led by three from both Lawrence (3-for-6) and Josh Jefferson (11 points, 3-for-5), while ODU was held to just two across the entire game.
Donovan Sims became the 34th Blue Raider in the 1000 point club with a three-pointer early in the first half, finishing the game with 12 points. Sims is the third MT Player to score at least 1000 points, dish at least 300 assists, and nab at least 100 steals in his Blue Raider career.
"I was just focused on getting the win today," Sims said of his milestone. "It felt pretty good. I've been here a long time, and I never thought this would happen. Honestly, I probably scored 400 points in high school, so I never thought I'd do it against bigger and better players."
The Murfreesboro native had one steal on the night this evening, one of the nine steals for Middle Tennessee as they turned ODU over 16 times for 22 points off turnovers. The Blue Raiders also won the battle in bench points (17-6, thanks to seven points from Camryn Weston and five from Teafale Lenard Jr.) and in second chance points (11-9).
MT battled physically on the boards against a team in ODU that is known for its strong post presence. It was the sixth time this season where at least four Blue Raiders brought in at least five rebounds (Lawrence, Sims, DeAndre Dishman and Christian Fussell).
Middle Tennessee and Old Dominion entered the locker room all square at 30-30. The Monarchs made their mark in the first 20 minutes in the paint, outscoring MT 19-12 in that category, while the Blue Raiders hit four more three-pointers than ODU (6-2) to help set the pace beyond the arc. Donovan Sims led all scorers with 10 points at the half.
The second half, of course, was a different story, with Lawrence scoring 16 of his 18 total points in the final period to help push MT to a lead as large as 20 points. ODU failed to score for 7:41 of game time, and managed just 18 total points in the second half.
Lawrence, Sims and McDevitt all made sure to highlight the Blue Zoo student section, buoyed by the night's Greek Night and Mardi Gras promotion, for giving them that extra spark of energy to the team's 13th straight home win throughout the game, with Lawrence saying it was the best student section he's seen since he's been here.
"You saw where they went to as soon as the game was over, to thank the students for showing up," McDevitt said. "It was great having them down there. It's always fun playing in front of your fellow classmates, the people that you cross campus with each day walking to and from class. They affected the game and we need them back here on Sunday."
Game Notes
The Blue Raiders (16-7, 7-3 C-USA) entered the second half tied with the Monarchs (9-15, 4-7 C-USA) at 30-30, but 13 points from Eli Lawrence in that 20-0 run helped spark MT to their 13th straight home win. The sophomore guard finished the night with a team-leading 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
"I've been waiting on one of these type of games," Lawrence said. "It just felt more important because I turned the game, I feel like, in my opinion. I just know my defensive pressure and energy just helps us win."
His head coach, Nick McDevitt agreed, saying the Atlanta native was "extremely" important in MT snapping a four game losing streak to ODU.
"We were talking at half time, we need some tough twos, get in there and make some plays," McDevitt said. "Man, he was listening. He flipped the energy of the game in the building."
The Blue Raiders held Old Dominion to just 24 percent shooting from the field in the second half, including an 0-for-8 clip beyond the arc for the Monarchs. MT drilled 10 threes, led by three from both Lawrence (3-for-6) and Josh Jefferson (11 points, 3-for-5), while ODU was held to just two across the entire game.
Donovan Sims became the 34th Blue Raider in the 1000 point club with a three-pointer early in the first half, finishing the game with 12 points. Sims is the third MT Player to score at least 1000 points, dish at least 300 assists, and nab at least 100 steals in his Blue Raider career.
"I was just focused on getting the win today," Sims said of his milestone. "It felt pretty good. I've been here a long time, and I never thought this would happen. Honestly, I probably scored 400 points in high school, so I never thought I'd do it against bigger and better players."
The Murfreesboro native had one steal on the night this evening, one of the nine steals for Middle Tennessee as they turned ODU over 16 times for 22 points off turnovers. The Blue Raiders also won the battle in bench points (17-6, thanks to seven points from Camryn Weston and five from Teafale Lenard Jr.) and in second chance points (11-9).
MT battled physically on the boards against a team in ODU that is known for its strong post presence. It was the sixth time this season where at least four Blue Raiders brought in at least five rebounds (Lawrence, Sims, DeAndre Dishman and Christian Fussell).
Middle Tennessee and Old Dominion entered the locker room all square at 30-30. The Monarchs made their mark in the first 20 minutes in the paint, outscoring MT 19-12 in that category, while the Blue Raiders hit four more three-pointers than ODU (6-2) to help set the pace beyond the arc. Donovan Sims led all scorers with 10 points at the half.
The second half, of course, was a different story, with Lawrence scoring 16 of his 18 total points in the final period to help push MT to a lead as large as 20 points. ODU failed to score for 7:41 of game time, and managed just 18 total points in the second half.
Lawrence, Sims and McDevitt all made sure to highlight the Blue Zoo student section, buoyed by the night's Greek Night and Mardi Gras promotion, for giving them that extra spark of energy to the team's 13th straight home win throughout the game, with Lawrence saying it was the best student section he's seen since he's been here.
"You saw where they went to as soon as the game was over, to thank the students for showing up," McDevitt said. "It was great having them down there. It's always fun playing in front of your fellow classmates, the people that you cross campus with each day walking to and from class. They affected the game and we need them back here on Sunday."
Game Notes
- Sims joins Tim Gaither (1,318/342/145) and Kevin Kanaskie (1,251/485/127) as the only players in program history with 1,000 points, 300 assists, and 100 steals. He ties Charles Harmening (1946-50) for 33rd in program history with 1,006 points.
- With their 16th win, the Blue Raiders are guaranteed a regular season record above .500.
- Middle Tennessee has held multiple conference opponents under 50 points for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
- MT's 13-game home win streak is tied for the sixth-longest in program history.
- Josh Jefferson tied his season high with four assists
- Eli Lawrence tied a season high with three steals.
- DeAndre Dishman blocked two shots for a new season high.
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