Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, February 24
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
6:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
12-16,6-7CUSA
74
vs
72
WKU
19-8,8-5CUSA
1
2
F
Western Ky.
36
36
72
Middle Tenn.
34
40
74
Blue Raiders hang on to defeat rival WKU 74-72
2/24/2024 9:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Coleman-Jones leads the way with 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee men's basketball held on for dear life to defeat Western Kentucky 74-72 Saturday night at the Murphy Center. Jared Coleman-Jones reached the 20-point mark by hitting a free throw with two seconds left , and Jestin Porter intercepted the ensuing Hail Mary to secure the victory.
The Blue Raiders (12-16, 6-7 Conference USA) saw double-digit leads slip away in each half, but once WKU (19-8, 8-5) tied the game at 72 with 2:18 to play, MTSU locked in. The Hilltoppers' final three possessions resulted in an offensive foul, a missed layup and a turnover. Porter and Coleman-Jones each hit free throws down the stretch to give their team the win.
Coleman-Jones and Porter combined for 26 of their 39 points in the second half. Justin Bufford picked up nine of his 11 rebounds after the break. Chris Loofe blocked two of his three shots in the second half.
Recording his sixth double-double of the season, Coleman-Jones finished with 20 points,11 rebounds and four assists, leading the team in each category. Bufford's 11 rebounds were a career high. Chris Loofe added three blocked shots, and Jestin Porter provided three steals.
On their Senior Night, Jalen Jordan, Ty Mosley and Elias King provided valuable minutes. Jordan scored seven points on 2-of-4 shooting from 3-point range, including a four-point play to contribute to a raucous Murphy Center environment. Mosley hit a key three to help the Blue Raiders pad an early lead. King scored all 12 of his points in the second half, including a 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line.
By the Numbers
20: Coleman-Jones' 20 points were a new career high.
11: Bufford's 11 rebounds were a new career high.
+9: The Blue Raiders were plus-9 in the scoring column while Chris Loofe was on the floor.
Blue Raider Notes
Coach's Comments: Nick McDevitt
"Really proud of our team. I thought we got out to a good start over the first nine or 10 minutes of the game. I thought in a battle of two rivals, we were the tougher team for a while. We were outrebounding them 13-7, I think, at the 12-minute media, and then I thought they were the aggressor to finish the half. We talked about that at halftime, how the margin is thin, and we just had to toughen up. We needed to be able to play physical at the basket, get physical, tough rebounds. Western's really good. Steve [Lutz] has done a really good job with that team…. They put pressure on you at every spot."
Player's Perspective: Justin Bufford
"It was so much fun just hearing the crowd… usually, I'm locked into the game, but when [Chris Loofe] blocked that shot, I really heard everybody scream, it made me say 'Dang, it's really loud in here right now.' I just want to say thank you to the Middle Tennessee fans. Thank you for coming out and believing in us, even though we've struggled… but now we've really found our flow."
Up Next
The Blue Raiders have the week off until a Saturday contest at Sam Houston on March 2. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. from Huntsville, Texas.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball on social media on Facebook (//MTMensBasketball), Twitter (@MT_MBB) and Instagram (@mt_mbb).
Print Friendly Version
The Blue Raiders (12-16, 6-7 Conference USA) saw double-digit leads slip away in each half, but once WKU (19-8, 8-5) tied the game at 72 with 2:18 to play, MTSU locked in. The Hilltoppers' final three possessions resulted in an offensive foul, a missed layup and a turnover. Porter and Coleman-Jones each hit free throws down the stretch to give their team the win.
Coleman-Jones and Porter combined for 26 of their 39 points in the second half. Justin Bufford picked up nine of his 11 rebounds after the break. Chris Loofe blocked two of his three shots in the second half.
Recording his sixth double-double of the season, Coleman-Jones finished with 20 points,11 rebounds and four assists, leading the team in each category. Bufford's 11 rebounds were a career high. Chris Loofe added three blocked shots, and Jestin Porter provided three steals.
On their Senior Night, Jalen Jordan, Ty Mosley and Elias King provided valuable minutes. Jordan scored seven points on 2-of-4 shooting from 3-point range, including a four-point play to contribute to a raucous Murphy Center environment. Mosley hit a key three to help the Blue Raiders pad an early lead. King scored all 12 of his points in the second half, including a 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line.
By the Numbers
20: Coleman-Jones' 20 points were a new career high.
11: Bufford's 11 rebounds were a new career high.
+9: The Blue Raiders were plus-9 in the scoring column while Chris Loofe was on the floor.
Blue Raider Notes
- The Blue Raiders have won three straight home games against WKU, having not lost a game to their rival in front a home crowd in over four years.
- Bufford and Coleman-Jones are the first pair of Blue Raiders with 10 or more rebounds in the same game since 2018-19.
- Coleman-Jones made a career-high three 3-pointers,
- Loofe tied a career high with three blocks.
Coach's Comments: Nick McDevitt
"Really proud of our team. I thought we got out to a good start over the first nine or 10 minutes of the game. I thought in a battle of two rivals, we were the tougher team for a while. We were outrebounding them 13-7, I think, at the 12-minute media, and then I thought they were the aggressor to finish the half. We talked about that at halftime, how the margin is thin, and we just had to toughen up. We needed to be able to play physical at the basket, get physical, tough rebounds. Western's really good. Steve [Lutz] has done a really good job with that team…. They put pressure on you at every spot."
Player's Perspective: Justin Bufford
"It was so much fun just hearing the crowd… usually, I'm locked into the game, but when [Chris Loofe] blocked that shot, I really heard everybody scream, it made me say 'Dang, it's really loud in here right now.' I just want to say thank you to the Middle Tennessee fans. Thank you for coming out and believing in us, even though we've struggled… but now we've really found our flow."
Up Next
The Blue Raiders have the week off until a Saturday contest at Sam Houston on March 2. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. from Huntsville, Texas.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball on social media on Facebook (//MTMensBasketball), Twitter (@MT_MBB) and Instagram (@mt_mbb).
Print Friendly Version
Team Stats
WestKy
MTSU
FG%
.373
.349
3FG%
.250
.357
FT%
.793
.667
RB
42
43
TO
12
11
STL
4
5
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
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