Blue Raiders run their win streak to 3

Middle Tennessee has been on a hot streak, winning its last three games, and eight out of eleven, improving their record to 12-11 and 7-5 in the conference.

Denver picked a bad time to come to Murfreesboro. The Raiders are red hot, rattling off eight wins in eleven games, and three straight to close January, and start February. There was even a layer of snow on the ground after game, no doubt thrilling the Pioneers.

Middle Tennessee came out motivated, taking the lead two minutes into the game with a Kyle Young slam dunk, which set the tone for the rest of the game. MT put up 24 points from the paint in the first half, dominating Denver inside.
br>The Blue Raiders were a bit flat shooting the ball in the first half, tallying 15 of their 31 field goal attempts, and only one of eight behind the three point arc. Their free throws were a perfect 3-3 though.

Tim Blue was a first half monster, putting up 10 of his 11 points to lead the team at half. Kyle Young followed nearby finishing the half with 9 points and a pair of rebounds. Theryn Hudson finished the first with 6 points and 6 rebounds on his way to a second career double-double, his second in two games.

Middle Tennessee opened a 9 point lead midway through the first half, but cooled allowing the Pioneers to close the gap to two points right before the break.

The second half was a different story. Motivated and conditioned the players in blue came out with a 12-2 run to start the opening 6 minutes of the second half. The Raiders lived up to their mascot, and raided the Pioneer basket all night.

At the close of the game, Middle had 4 players with double digit scoring, Kyle Young lead with 13, followed by Kevin Kanaskie and Tim Blue who both notched 11, and Theryn Hudson bringing up the rear with 10.

Stats aside, the crowd of 4,500 was treated to a great showing by its home team. The Raiders look to extend their streak 4 straight wins against South Alabama on Saturday February 3. Until then, remember how good it feels to leave the Murphy Center as the pep band belts out “Alma Mater”, and every blue clad face is smiling.