Extra chances power Gaels past Blue Raiders

Tuesday, December 19

Moraga, Calif.

9 PM

Middle Tennessee

5-7,0-0CUSA

Saint Mary's

7-5,0-0WCC

Middle Tenn.

Saint Mary's (CA)

12/20/2023 12:05:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Thomas Donley, MT Athletics

MORAGA, Calif. — Middle Tennessee men's basketball fell to Saint Mary's 71-34 Tuesday night. The Gaels scored 25 second chance points on 21 offensive rebounds while holding the Blue Raiders under 28 percent shooting from the floor.

MTSU committed 18 turnovers while forcing just nine as SMC scored 23 points off Blue Raider miscues.

Jacob Johnson led the Blue Raiders with nine points. O'zhell Jackson's four rebounds led the team. Elias King paced MTSU with two assists.

By the Numbers

13: Saint Mary's' 13 first-half offensive rebounds were the most allowed by the Blue Raiders in any full game this season.

7: The Blue Raiders' seven blocked shots were their second-most on the year.

7: After two rejections Tuesday, Chris Loofe has blocked seven shots over his last four games.

Blue Raider Notes

MTSU's 34 points were its fewest since scoring 33 against Arkansas State on December 10, 1947.

Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt

"I just thought their physicality just overpowered us. On drives to the basket, post moves, rebounding, they made it hard for us to run offense. I just thought they beat us up – in a basketball way, not in a fouling way, nothing dirty – [with] their physicality, they outmanned us."

Up Next

The Blue Raiders' western swing continues to Cedar City, Utah, where the Blue Raiders will take on Southern Utah on Friday.

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