Millin’s three-pointer gives Blue Raiders win against Charlotte

Thursday, January 19

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

6 PM

Middle Tennessee

-127,53 CUSA

Charlotte

-127,35 CUSA

Charlotte

Middle Tenn.

1/19/2023 9:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Camryn Weston scored 14 points to lead four double-digit scorers for MTSU

By: Sam Doughton, MT Athletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Tyler Millin's go-ahead three and a plethora of clutch free throws pushed Middle Tennessee men's basketball past Charlotte 62-58 in a defensive slugfest on Thursday night at the Murphy Center.

The Blue Raiders (12-7, 5-3 C-USA) hit the boards early and often, scoring 12 points off nine offensive rebounds in a back-and-forth first half. MTSU trailed 27-26 at the break, but continued to turn the 49ers (12-7, 3-5 C-USA) over throughout the game, getting 21 points off of 21 turnovers to get in transition against Charlotte's pack line defense. Charlotte shot 50 percent from the field (20-for-40) on the night but failed to slow down the Blue Raiders in the paint, where MTSU dominated for 36 points on a plethora of drives and nifty finishes around the basket.

Camryn Weston led the Blue Raiders with 14 points, including two clutch free throws to ice the game late. The point guard finished the night with five rebounds and four assists. Millin scored 12 points off the bench while leading the team with eight rebounds, including three on the offensive boards. Teafale Lenard scored 11 points on 50 percent of the field (4-for-8) while swiping four steals.

By the Numbers

21: Turnovers for Charlotte on Thursday, besting their previous season high of 16 against UAB on December 22, 2022. MTSU forced 11 of those turnovers in the first half and 10 turnovers in the second, with 12 of those 21 turnovers coming on MTSU steals.

8-0: Middle Tennessee's all-time record in the Murphy Center against Charlotte. The 49ers have never won in the Glass House dating back to 2015. With the team's going their separate ways in conferences next season, that 8-0 margin will likely hold for some time.

15-3: The advantage in fast break points for MTSU against Charlotte. The Blue Raiders won every specialty statistic category (turnovers, paint, second chance, fast breaks and bench) on Thursday.

Blue Raider Notes

Millin's 12 points were one shy of his career high.
The Blue Raiders' last four wins have come by a combined 13 points, with the last three coming by a margin of eight.
Nick McDevitt moves into a tie for fifth place in MTSU history with 33 conference victories, matching the career totals of Stan Simpson and David Farrar.

Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt

"I told our team after the game it's not always going to be pretty. It was just kind of a slugfest, so to say, with both teams really trying to find a flow and rhythm. There were 38 combined turnovers, we forced 21, they forced us into 17. It wasn't offensively, I'm sure, pleasing to the eye, but sometimes you've got to find a way to win.

"I'm really proud of our team, but also particularly some individuals that struggled a little bit in the first half but washed it out and performed well in the second half and just find a way to win."

Player's Perspective – Tyler Millin

On whether his eyes were closed on his go-ahead three pointer, as the camera lens showed

"Yeah, I tend to do that a lot, I'm not going to lie. It went it, so I'm proud of that. It's just a rhythm thing, but I got that win, so that's all that matters.

"I knew Cam trusted me, we were in the gym a lot, and just hearing that crowd just got me pumped up."

Up Next

The Blue Raiders will quickly make their way to Ruston, La., where MTSU will take on LA Tech in their first meeting in over three years on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., with TV coverage on ESPN+ and radio coverage on the Blue Raider Radio Network.

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