Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Thursday, January 18
El Paso, Texas
8 PM
Middle Tennessee
6-12,0-3CUSA
59
at
73
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
UTEP
10-8,1-2CUSA
1
2
F
Middle Tenn.
25
34
59
UTEP
34
39
73
Turnovers stymie Blue Raiders at UTEP
1/18/2024 11:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EL PASO, Texas — Middle Tennessee men's basketball shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and outrebounded UTEP by 13 Thursday night, but 27 turnovers were too many to overcome in a 73-59 loss at the Don Haskins Center. Jared Coleman-Jones recorded his second double-double in three games to go along with a career-high six assists.
The Blue Raiders (6-12, 0-3 CUSA) fell behind 8-0 to start the game, but Coleman-Jones scored seven points during a 9-2 Blue Raider run that cut the lead to one with five minutes left in the first half. A subsequent 10-0 run by the Miners (10-8, 1-2) helped widen the gap heading into halftime.
MTSU reduced its turnover total from 18 in the first half to nine in the second, but UTEP shot .619 (13-for-31) from the floor in the second half to pull away for the victory.
Coleman-Jones' 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two blocks were all team highs. Elias King added 15 points, while Jacob Johnson contributed 10 points and six rebounds. Justin Bufford
By the Numbers
13: MTSU was plus-13 in the rebounding column, its largest advantage on the glass against a Division I team this season.
22: UTEP's 22 rebounds were the fewest allowed by the Blue Raiders on the year.
8: MTSU's eight dunks were a season high.
Blue Raider Notes
Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt
"I hate to sound like a broken record, but tonight it just came down to ball care. We said that in the pregame – we've turned it over too much, and they force a bunch of turnovers… That's how they have to score, is force you into turnovers and get out and play in transition, and they do that."
Up Next
The Blue Raiders are back in action Saturday at New Mexico State.
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 (6-12, 0-3 CUSA) fell behind 8-0 to start the game, but Coleman-Jones scored seven points during a 9-2 Blue Raider run that cut the lead to one with five minutes left in the first half. A subsequent 10-0 run by the Miners (10-8, 1-2) helped widen the gap heading into halftime.
MTSU reduced its turnover total from 18 in the first half to nine in the second, but UTEP shot .619 (13-for-31) from the floor in the second half to pull away for the victory.
Coleman-Jones' 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two blocks were all team highs. Elias King added 15 points, while Jacob Johnson contributed 10 points and six rebounds. Justin Bufford
By the Numbers
13: MTSU was plus-13 in the rebounding column, its largest advantage on the glass against a Division I team this season.
22: UTEP's 22 rebounds were the fewest allowed by the Blue Raiders on the year.
8: MTSU's eight dunks were a season high.
Blue Raider Notes
- Coleman-Jones tied his career high with 11 rebounds.
- The Blue Raiders' 27 turnovers are tied for the fourth-most in a game in program history.
Thoughts from Head Coach Nick McDevitt
"I hate to sound like a broken record, but tonight it just came down to ball care. We said that in the pregame – we've turned it over too much, and they force a bunch of turnovers… That's how they have to score, is force you into turnovers and get out and play in transition, and they do that."
Up Next
The Blue Raiders are back in action Saturday at New Mexico State.
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
MTSU
UTEP
FG%
.468
.479
3FG%
.182
.429
FT%
.611
.724
RB
35
22
TO
27
13
STL
6
16
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballFacility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
2025 Blue Raider Blitz Media Panel
Thursday, July 03
MTSU Men's Basketball Coach Nick McDevitt interview at 2025 Blue Raider Blitz
Monday, June 30
MTSU Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs Chattanooga NIT 3/18/25
Tuesday, March 18
