Physical Bearkats defeat Blue Raiders in Huntsville

Saturday, March 2

Huntsville, Texas

7 PM

Middle Tennessee

12-17,6-8CUSA

Sam Houston

18-11,11-3CUSA

Middle Tenn.

Sam Houston

3/2/2024 9:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Thomas Donley, MT Athletics

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Sam Houston went on a pair of big runs in the first half to build a lead it would not relinquish Saturday in an 81-64 win over Middle Tennessee at Johnson Coliseum. The -Bearkats had stretches on nine and eight unanswered points in the opening period to build a double-digit lead by halftime.

Jared Coleman-Jones led the Blue Raiders (12-17, 6-8 Conference USA) with 18 points, going 6-of-10 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. MTSU was 23-for-29 (.793) from the free throw line, including a 9-for-10 performance from Jacob Johnson.

The Bearkats (18-11, 11-3 CUSA) were 9-for-22 from 3-point range (.409) and 22-for-28 from the charity stripe (.786) while outrebounding the Blue Raiders 39-24.

Johnson and Houston native Jestin Porter put up matching 11-point, five-rebound stat lines to lead the team on the glass. Coleman-Jones' four assists were a team high. Bufford added 10 points of his own.

By the Numbers
9: Johnson's nine free throws were a season high.

3: Bufford tied a career high with three made 3-pointers.

46: The two teams combined for 46 personal fouls.

Blue Raider Notes

Johnson's nine made free throws were the most by a Blue Raider in a regulation game this season.
Sam Houston improved to 11-3 in CUSA play, rejoining LA Tech in a tie for first place heading into the final week of the regular season.
The Bearkats are a league-best 7-0 at home in CUSA play.
The Blue Raiders' 24 rebounds tied a season low.

Coach's Comments: Nick McDevitt
"I just thought they were tougher than us in the first half. The second half looked a lot like the entire game at our place [on Jan. 13]. It was one of those back-and-forth; nip and tuck; they make a run, we make a run… tonight, I just thought they looked comfortable, and things were kind of easy for them."

Up Next
The Blue Raiders play their final regular season home game of the season Tuesday when they host Liberty at 6 p.m.

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