Middle Tennessee Falls to Louisiana Tech in Nail-Biting Finish

In a thrilling matchup on January 17, 2024, Middle Tennessee suffered a narrow defeat against Louisiana Tech, losing 59-58 in the final seconds. This loss marked the second conference defeat for the Blue Raiders in the current season, as they split the season series with the Bulldogs.

Middle Tennessee began the game on a strong note, showcasing impressive offensive skills early on. While their previous meeting in Murfreesboro featured a record-setting performance with 22 three-pointers, this time, the Blue Raiders primarily focused on scoring inside the arc. They dominated the first half, effectively holding Louisiana Tech to just 21 points while racking up 40 of their own, resulting in a commanding 19-point halftime lead.

The Bulldogs struggled significantly in the opening half, shooting only 20 percent from the field and failing to connect on any three-point attempts. In contrast, Middle Tennessee found success with 46 percent shooting from the floor, including four successful three-pointers.

As the second half commenced, the momentum shifted dramatically. Middle Tennessee found it difficult to maintain their scoring pace, managing only 18 points over the final 20 minutes. Louisiana Tech began to chip away at the deficit, and with only 4.7 seconds remaining, they finally scored their first three-pointer of the night. This crucial basket allowed Louisiana Tech to take a one-point lead, which they held onto for the remainder of the game.

Nick McDevitt, the head coach of Middle Tennessee, expressed his disappointment following the game. “Just a really disappointing loss, not just the loss but how we lost. Our team has to learn how to win on the road. Credit to Louisiana Tech, they didn’t fold. They came out hard in the second half, and we didn’t match it,” he stated.

By the numbers, two standout players for Middle Tennessee were Chris Loofe and Kamari Lands. Loofe tied a career high with four blocks, all recorded in the first half, while Lands matched his career high in assists with five. Additionally, Sean Smith also contributed five assists, showcasing the team’s depth despite the loss.

Looking ahead, Middle Tennessee will return home to face Missouri State at the Murphy Center. The contest is scheduled to tip off at 17:00 local time, as the Blue Raiders aim to bounce back from this tough defeat and regain momentum in their season.