Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Tuesday, December 5
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
6:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
5-5,0-0CUSA
77
vs
73
Missouri State
6-3,1-1MVC
1
2
OT 1
F
Missouri St.
27
39
7
73
Middle Tenn.
32
34
11
77
Men’s basketball bears down to get past Missouri State in overtime, 77-73
12/5/2023 10:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MTSU only turned the ball over six times as a team on Tuesday to pick up their second overtime win of the season
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee men's basketball once again needed five extra minutes in the Murphy Center but picked up their second overtime win of the season Tuesday night, sneaking past Missouri State 77-73 behind scrappy, opportunistic defense and some hot shotting from the outside.
The Blue Raiders (5-5) led by five at halftime after hitting seven three-pointers in the game's first 20 minutes, while holding the Bears (6-3) to just 23 shots in the half after turning Missouri State over eight times at the break. The visitors turned up the aggression in the second half, however, going to the foul line 13 times while making 12 attempts at the charity stripe to help power their way to tying the game late on a floater from Alston Mason after the Bears fouled MTSU seven times in nine seconds. Missouri State was not whistled for a foul in the second half until they started fouling intentionally to stop the clock with 20 seconds left.
The Blue Raiders would drill the first bucket of the overtime period, the sixth three-pointer of the night from Elias King, to take the lead for good, never trailing in overtime en route to their fifth win of the season.
King led the Blue Raiders with 22 points on the night while also grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists. He also led MTSU in blocks with two. Jared Coleman-Jones was effective once again in the post, scoring 14 points while grabbing nine rebounds, including four offensive boards. Jalen Jordan continued his sharp shooting off the bench, scoring 14 points with help from a 3-for-4 night beyond the arc.
By the Numbers
11-6: Second chance points advantage for the Blue Raiders. Against one of the top defensive rebounding teams in the country, MTSU snagged 12 offensive rebounds to grab those 11 second points.
6: Made three-pointers for Elias King, a new career-high for the sharp shooting wing.
13:6: Assist-to-turnover ratio on Tuesday for the Blue Raiders, the best assist-to-turnover ratio for the Blue Raiders since dishing 16 assists with just six turnovers in a 96-48 win over Bryan College on November 27, 2021.
Blue Raider Notes
Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt
"Just super proud of our team. Missouri State has got a really good ball club and some really talented players. Alston Mason, he and Chance Moor and Donovan Clay are three really terrific ballplayers. We knew it was going to be a tough challenge, we obviously played them last year at their place, so we knew how good they were and really respected them as a club.
"(We're) just trying to figure things out. We've had to make some changes. Obviously changes in the lineup, changes in our playing style. Running new offensive sets, some two or three days old, some ten days old. (I'm proud of) how our guys have stuck together over these last couple of weeks and grinding out a tough win."
Player's Perspective – Elias King
" My teammates and my coaches (were) pushing me all week. They're like 'Elias, you're a great shooter. Keep shooting.' I know I've been in a slump these past couple of games, but if it wasn't for them, they set me up. The coaches put me in the best positions, and it showed tonight."
Up Next
The Blue Raiders host mid-state foe Belmont on the Murphy Center on Saturday. The matchup against the Bruins will feature Christmas with The Grinch on the concourse of the Glass House as well as a Collectible Cookie Cutter & Cookie Recipe #1 Giveaway. Fans are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for their annual toy drive. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball on social media on Facebook (//MTMensBasketball), Twitter (@MT_MBB) and Instagram (@mt_mbb).
The Blue Raiders (5-5) led by five at halftime after hitting seven three-pointers in the game's first 20 minutes, while holding the Bears (6-3) to just 23 shots in the half after turning Missouri State over eight times at the break. The visitors turned up the aggression in the second half, however, going to the foul line 13 times while making 12 attempts at the charity stripe to help power their way to tying the game late on a floater from Alston Mason after the Bears fouled MTSU seven times in nine seconds. Missouri State was not whistled for a foul in the second half until they started fouling intentionally to stop the clock with 20 seconds left.
The Blue Raiders would drill the first bucket of the overtime period, the sixth three-pointer of the night from Elias King, to take the lead for good, never trailing in overtime en route to their fifth win of the season.
King led the Blue Raiders with 22 points on the night while also grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists. He also led MTSU in blocks with two. Jared Coleman-Jones was effective once again in the post, scoring 14 points while grabbing nine rebounds, including four offensive boards. Jalen Jordan continued his sharp shooting off the bench, scoring 14 points with help from a 3-for-4 night beyond the arc.
By the Numbers
11-6: Second chance points advantage for the Blue Raiders. Against one of the top defensive rebounding teams in the country, MTSU snagged 12 offensive rebounds to grab those 11 second points.
6: Made three-pointers for Elias King, a new career-high for the sharp shooting wing.
13:6: Assist-to-turnover ratio on Tuesday for the Blue Raiders, the best assist-to-turnover ratio for the Blue Raiders since dishing 16 assists with just six turnovers in a 96-48 win over Bryan College on November 27, 2021.
Blue Raider Notes
- Elias King set new career highs with 22 points and six 3-pointers.
- Jalen Jordan extended his streak to five straight games with multiple made 3-pointers.
- The Blue Raiders played their third overtime game of the season Tuesday, equaling the most overtime games in a season since playing four in 2014-15.
Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt
"Just super proud of our team. Missouri State has got a really good ball club and some really talented players. Alston Mason, he and Chance Moor and Donovan Clay are three really terrific ballplayers. We knew it was going to be a tough challenge, we obviously played them last year at their place, so we knew how good they were and really respected them as a club.
"(We're) just trying to figure things out. We've had to make some changes. Obviously changes in the lineup, changes in our playing style. Running new offensive sets, some two or three days old, some ten days old. (I'm proud of) how our guys have stuck together over these last couple of weeks and grinding out a tough win."
Player's Perspective – Elias King
" My teammates and my coaches (were) pushing me all week. They're like 'Elias, you're a great shooter. Keep shooting.' I know I've been in a slump these past couple of games, but if it wasn't for them, they set me up. The coaches put me in the best positions, and it showed tonight."
Up Next
The Blue Raiders host mid-state foe Belmont on the Murphy Center on Saturday. The matchup against the Bruins will feature Christmas with The Grinch on the concourse of the Glass House as well as a Collectible Cookie Cutter & Cookie Recipe #1 Giveaway. Fans are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for their annual toy drive. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball on social media on Facebook (//MTMensBasketball), Twitter (@MT_MBB) and Instagram (@mt_mbb).
Team Stats
MOST
MTSU
FG%
.407
.389
3FG%
.308
.333
FT%
.895
.529
RB
44
40
TO
13
6
STL
2
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
6
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
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