MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Middle Tennessee used a dominant rebounding performance to defeat Delaware 78-66 in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Saturday at Murphy Athletics Center. The Blue Raiders (13-14) outrebounded the Blue Hens 13-2 on the offensive glass, leading to key second-chance opportunities. Chris Loofe led Middle Tennessee with 13 rebounds and 11 points, while Torey Alston added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Delaware (9-18) was led by Justyn Fernandez’s game-high 22 points. Middle Tennessee led 31-20 at halftime and maintained control despite a 46-point second-half effort from Delaware. The Blue Raiders committed only five turnovers. Attendance was 4,150.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — A dominant performance on the glass and a decisive edge in transition fueled the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders to a 78-66 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Saturday at Murphy Athletics Center. A crowd of 4,150 saw the Blue Raiders (13-14) avenge an overtime loss to Delaware just two weeks prior, using a 13-2 advantage in offensive rebounds and a 14-0 margin in fastbreak points to control the game’s tempo and secure the win. The Blue Hens fell to 9-18. The most critical phase of the contest came early in the second half, when Middle Tennessee extinguished Delaware’s attempt to rally. After trailing 31-20 at halftime, the Blue Hens opened the second period with a 13-5 run, cutting the deficit to 36-33 on a Justyn Fernandez free throw with just over 19 minutes to play. Middle Tennessee responded immediately and emphatically. Sean Smith connected on a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, sparking a 12-2 surge over the next three minutes. The run was capped by a Kamari Lands 3-pointer and a Torey Alston alley-oop dunk, pushing the lead back to 13 points at 48-35. Delaware would not get within single digits again, as the Blue Raiders consistently answered every mini-run with scores in the paint or at the free-throw line. The foundation for the win was built in the first half, where Middle Tennessee’s physicality and rebounding overwhelmed Delaware. The Blue Raiders grabbed nine offensive rebounds before halftime, leading to 10 second-chance points and a 40-24 overall advantage in points in the paint for the game. Delaware, by contrast, managed only two offensive rebounds all night. Chris Loofe, a 6-foot-11 junior from Leander, Texas, was the central figure in Middle Tennessee’s interior dominance. He posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, adding three assists, a block and three steals in 33 minutes. His work on the glass was pivotal, as he secured five offensive rebounds that extended possessions and demoralized the Delaware defense. He was joined in the double-double column by teammate Torey Alston, who had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Sean Smith led all Blue Raiders scorers with 18 points and added four assists, while Lands contributed 15 points. Delaware’s offense, which mustered only 20 points in a frigid first half, found a rhythm after halftime behind the scoring of Fernandez and Christian Bliss. Fernandez, a sophomore from Richmond, Virginia, played all 40 minutes and led all scorers with 22 points, adding six rebounds. Bliss, a guard from Queens, New York, also went the distance and scored 21 points. The duo combined to shoot 19 for 21 from the free-throw line, but the Blue Hens struggled from the perimeter, making just 6 of 20 3-point attempts. Middle Tennessee’s efficiency proved superior. The Blue Raiders scored 78 points on 63 possessions for an offensive rating of 123.8, while Delaware managed 66 points on 62 possessions for a rating of 106.5. The Blue Raiders also protected the ball, committing only five turnovers compared to Delaware’s 10, which helped fuel their transition attack. The victory moved Middle Tennessee back toward .500 in conference play, while Delaware continues to search for consistency in a challenging season. The Blue Raiders will host UTEP on Thursday, while Delaware travels to face Jacksonville State.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — A dramatic overtime rematch awaits when the Delaware Blue Hens visit the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a Conference USA men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Murphy Athletics Center. The teams met just two weeks ago in Newark, with Delaware (9-17, 4-9 CUSA) escaping with an 89-88 overtime victory on Feb. 7. That result is fresh for a Middle Tennessee (12-14, 5-8) squad seeking to level the season series and improve its positioning ahead of the conference tournament. Delaware arrives after a heartbreaking 88-87 overtime loss to Western Kentucky on Wednesday, its second consecutive OT game. The Blue Hens are led by guard Christian Bliss, who is averaging 18.4 points and 6.5 assists over his last eight games. In the first meeting against Middle Tennessee, Bliss stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The Blue Raiders have lost four of their last five, including a 78-70 defeat at Sam Houston on Wednesday. They will lean on forward Torey Alston, who scored 21 points in the earlier loss to Delaware. Alston is averaging 15.6 points over his last seven contests. Both teams have struggled for consistency in a tight conference race. Delaware’s win over the Blue Raiders is part of a 3-5 stretch, while Middle Tennessee has dropped to 2-6 in its last eight games following a 3-2 start in league play. Saturday’s contest represents a critical opportunity for each to gain momentum. For Delaware, it’s a chance to sweep the series and build on recent road wins at Missouri State and Florida International. For Middle Tennessee, protecting home court is essential to halt its slide before closing the regular season with two more home games. Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon. Delaware visits Jacksonville State next Thursday, while Middle Tennessee hosts UTEP the same night.