Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, December 7
Nashville, TN
2:30 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
7-3,0-0CUSA
79
at
82
Belmont
8-2,1-0MVC
1
2
F
Middle Tenn.
30
49
79
Belmont
38
44
82
Blue Raiders comeback effort falls short, dropping 82-79 at Belmont
12/7/2024 6:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee's comeback effort fell just short against the Belmont Bruins, 82-79, on Saturday afternoon.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Blue Raiders jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the first five minutes, thanks to two quick three-pointers from Jestin Porter and four points in the paint by EssamMostafa. But after a shaky few minutes, they found themselves down 21-14 halfway through the first half.
The Bruins went cold from the field after the Blue Raiders turned to a full-court press, holding Belmont scoreless for three and a half minutes. MTSU reclaimed the lead with a Tre Green three-pointer, 26-23, with five minutes remaining in the half.
However, the momentum shifted when the Raiders went cold and Belmont caught fire. Forced turnovers and offensive rebounds by the Bruins helped them close the half on a strong note, leaving MTSU down by eight at the break, 38-30. Mostafa and Porter led the scoring with nine and six points, respectively.
At the start of the second half, Belmont continued to add to its lead, building it to 15 points with 15 minutes to go. The Blue Raider offense stalled, going on a three-minute scoring drought while the Bruins stretched their lead to 18.
Middle Tennessee wouldn't let Belmont run away, though. Jlynn Counter checked in, and the energy shifted. Counter scored 10 points in three minutes, cutting the deficit to five with eight minutes left.
He kept the momentum going with a drive-and-kick out to Porter for a three-pointer. Porter wasn't done either, hitting another three to bring MTSU within one with four minutes to go.
But Belmont answered, scoring on two straight possessions to push its lead to four. Counter responded with a massive three-pointer as the shot clock wound down, bringing the Blue Raiders back within one. After a quick Belmont bucket in the paint, MTSU had the ball down 76-73 with a minute to play.
Counter once again took control, driving for a layup. The Bruins answered with one of their own. With 21 seconds left, the Blue Raiders had another chance, down three. Bufford passed the ball to Counter, who drove and drew a hard shooting foul. He missed the first free throw but sank the second, cutting Belmont's lead to two. MTSU fouled to put the Bruins at the line, where they made both free throws, extending their lead to four.
The Blue Raiders came down the floor and found a wide-open Porter, who drilled his fifth three-pointer of the game, bringing the game back within one. Belmont went back to the courtesy stripe and made both free throws, taking a three-point lead. Counter had one final chance to tie the game with a three-pointer, but it just missed, and the Blue Raiders fell short of a historic comeback, losing 82-79.
Counter led the Blue Raiders with a season-high 22 points, while Porter added 21. Mostafa recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
By the Numbers:
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball on social media on Facebook //MTMensBasketball, Twitter (@MT_MBB) and Instagram (@mt_mbb).
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Blue Raiders jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the first five minutes, thanks to two quick three-pointers from Jestin Porter and four points in the paint by EssamMostafa. But after a shaky few minutes, they found themselves down 21-14 halfway through the first half.
The Bruins went cold from the field after the Blue Raiders turned to a full-court press, holding Belmont scoreless for three and a half minutes. MTSU reclaimed the lead with a Tre Green three-pointer, 26-23, with five minutes remaining in the half.
However, the momentum shifted when the Raiders went cold and Belmont caught fire. Forced turnovers and offensive rebounds by the Bruins helped them close the half on a strong note, leaving MTSU down by eight at the break, 38-30. Mostafa and Porter led the scoring with nine and six points, respectively.
At the start of the second half, Belmont continued to add to its lead, building it to 15 points with 15 minutes to go. The Blue Raider offense stalled, going on a three-minute scoring drought while the Bruins stretched their lead to 18.
Middle Tennessee wouldn't let Belmont run away, though. Jlynn Counter checked in, and the energy shifted. Counter scored 10 points in three minutes, cutting the deficit to five with eight minutes left.
He kept the momentum going with a drive-and-kick out to Porter for a three-pointer. Porter wasn't done either, hitting another three to bring MTSU within one with four minutes to go.
But Belmont answered, scoring on two straight possessions to push its lead to four. Counter responded with a massive three-pointer as the shot clock wound down, bringing the Blue Raiders back within one. After a quick Belmont bucket in the paint, MTSU had the ball down 76-73 with a minute to play.
Counter once again took control, driving for a layup. The Bruins answered with one of their own. With 21 seconds left, the Blue Raiders had another chance, down three. Bufford passed the ball to Counter, who drove and drew a hard shooting foul. He missed the first free throw but sank the second, cutting Belmont's lead to two. MTSU fouled to put the Bruins at the line, where they made both free throws, extending their lead to four.
The Blue Raiders came down the floor and found a wide-open Porter, who drilled his fifth three-pointer of the game, bringing the game back within one. Belmont went back to the courtesy stripe and made both free throws, taking a three-point lead. Counter had one final chance to tie the game with a three-pointer, but it just missed, and the Blue Raiders fell short of a historic comeback, losing 82-79.
Counter led the Blue Raiders with a season-high 22 points, while Porter added 21. Mostafa recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
By the Numbers:
- 44: Essam Mostafa recorded his 44th career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
- 22: Jlynn Counter led the comeback with a season-high 22 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and beyond the arc.
- 5: Jestin Porter tied his season high with five three-pointers.
- 100: Tre Green shot 3-3 from the field and 2-2 from deep, shooting 100 percent on the day for eight points.
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
BEL
FG%
.455
.425
3FG%
.385
.316
FT%
.750
.667
RB
40
42
TO
14
8
STL
5
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
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