Middle Tennessee defeats Cumberland 74-58 Sunday in the Murphy Center

Sunday, December 21

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

1 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

7-4,1-0CUSA

Cumberland

0-1

Cumberland (TN)

Middle Tenn.

12/21/2025 4:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Game Book Photo Gallery

By: Anthony Fiorella / MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee (7-4, 1-0 CUSA) overcame a tough first half to win its fifth home game to close out the 2025 calendar year, defeating Cumberland 74-58. Following a first-half shooting percentage of 37.5 percent as a team, the Blue Raiders shot a much-improved 51.9 percent from the field after the break to put the Phoenix away.

Middle Tennessee had a rough first half shooting the ball, finishing the half 8-of-23 as a team while the Phoenix shot 48.3 percent as a team to take a 35-30 lead at halftime. Making his first start since the McNeese State game, Sean Smith finished the first half with seven points and two assists while fellow guard Jahvin Carter contributed seven points and two rebounds. Torey Alston was halfway to a double-double with five points and five rebounds.

The Blue Raiders took control early in the second half, outscoring Cumberland 25-13 in the first 10 minutes to take the lead 55-48 and didn't look back. Alston led the way by collecting his second double-double of the season with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and two assists. Former Alcoa Tornado Carter scored a career-high 20 points and tied career highs in rebounds with five and three-pointers with three. Smith finished with 11 points and a team-high four assists while Tre Green led the Blue Raider bench with nine points.

Nick McDevitt
"My college coaches used to always tell us to make sure you have the right mindset in these kinds of games," said Middle Tennessee Head Coach Nick McDevitt. "It's easy to get distracted with other stuff. In the first half, our minds were elsewhere. Coming back out, we needed every bit of what Torey (Alston) did tonight. Jahvin (Carter) hit a couple of big three's. I think it started toward the end of the first half when Jarred Hall brought us some energy by getting a big offensive rebound and played great defense and helped give us what we needed."

Jahvin Carter
"Lots of respect for (Cumberland)," Carter said. "They came out and played tough. Early, we just didn't play to our standard, especially defensively, like we did against Kennesaw State. We regrouped at halftime and got back to being us. It all goes back to my teammates and coaches pushing me to be better. When I wasn't playing as well, they were in my ear telling me to keep going and it helped me get back to being who I am."

By the Numbers
20: New career high in points by Jahvin Carter, who also tied a career high in three-pointers made in a game with three.
2: Double-doubles this season for forward Torey Alston.
8: Times this season in which Sean Smith has led the team in assists, garnering a team-high four today.

Up Next
Middle Tennessee's next game comes on the road at No. 8 Houston on December 29th. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CDT with coverage coming on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Network.