Lawrence’s Block, Dishman’s Free Throws Help Blue Raiders Edge Past Blazers in OT

Monday, January 16

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

8 PM

Middle Tennessee

-117,43 CUSA

UAB

-136,44 CUSA

OT 1

UAB

Middle Tenn.

1/17/2023 12:40:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

MTSU holds UAB to 31.6 percent from the field on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By: Sam Doughton, MT Athletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee men's basketball survived another overtime thriller, as an Eli Lawrence block with 38 seconds left in overtime gave the Blue Raiders the ball, resulting in DeAndre Dishman going to the line and knocking down two free throws to give MTSU the 74-73 victory on Monday night at the Murphy Center.

All square at both halftime (31-31) and the end of regulation (66-66), the Blue Raiders (11-7, 4-3 C-USA) held the Blazers (13-6, 4-4 C-USA) to just 31.6 percent shooting from the field on the night, despite giving up 27 offensive rebounds resulting in 21 second chance points for UAB. A huge night for the MTSU's defensive wings kept things close, as the Blue Raiders combined for 12 blocks on the night, led by five from Teafale Lenard.

The Blazers went on a 9-0 run between the end of regulation and the start of overtime, taking a five-point lead early in the extra period. But gritty defense and timely passing gave MTSU a chance late, when Lawrence's second block of the night gave MTSU its final possession and Ty Brewer's final shot failed to get off before the buzzer sounded.

Dishman led MTSU with 15 points and eight rebounds, scoring seven of his points at the charity stripe. Lawrence finished with 13 points and a career-high five assists. Lenard and Camryn Weston also finished the night in double figures.

By the Numbers

12: Blocks for MTSU, tied for the second most in a game in program history. The record for most blocks in a game was set earlier this season at Belmont (13).

19-15: MTSU's advantage on bench points, the only of the five "specialty" stats (points off turnovers, points in the paint, second chance points, fast break points, bench points) that the Blue Raiders won on Wednesday. Jestin Porter led the way with eight points, while Tyler Millin added six points on three coast-to-coast layups.

19 percent: Amount of Middle Tennessee games against UAB that have gone to overtime. The Blue Raiders have played the Blazers 27 times, with five of those games going to at least one overtime.

Blue Raider Notes

MTSU snapped a seven-game losing streak to UAB dating back to February 2, 2019.
The Blue Raiders and Blazers have played an extra 20 minutes over their last two matchups.
Eli Lawrence's five assists set a new career high.
The Blue Raiders improved to 3-1 in games decided by three points or less.

Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt

" The last two times we've gotten together they've been fun to watch, fun to be a part of. Three overtimes last year, overtime again tonight, coming down the last shot.

"I just thought our guys kept battling and stayed mentally tough. We were up four with under a minute to go, we're up two with 6-7 seconds to go and we turn the ball over on the inbounds pass. They made two free throws to tie it, and then Cam I thought did a good job going the length of the floor, right to the bucket for the last shot of regulation.

"Then they come out and score the first five points of overtime. So they had a 9-0 run if you look at the last bit of regulation. I just told our team that I think a mentally weak, soft team kind of wilts for another minute and they're in big trouble. I just thought we stayed together. Got the next play mentality and found ourselves up one. Needed a big stop, and we were able to get it."

Player's Perspective – DeAndre Dishman

"Definitely the past few games against them. I knew we needed the W, so I dug deep and made sure I knocked the first one in. Once I made it, I felt some relief. There was a sense of calmness and I was able to just knock the second one in pretty easy.

Up Next

Middle Tennessee will get to stay home for the start of spring classes, with Charlotte coming to the Murphy Center for the second game in the teams' season series. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Radio Network.

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