Belmont Bruins @ Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Belmont defeats Middle Tennessee 70-58
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- JJ Mann had a career-high 32 points as Belmont defeated Middle Tennessee 70-58, ending the Blue Raiders home winning streak at 33 games Tuesday night.
Middle Tennessee had the nation's longest regular-season home winning streak.
Belmont (8-2) came out hot, taking an 18-4 lead midway of the first period as Middle Tennessee (6-2) went scoreless for 7:39. The Blue Raiders (6-2) mounted a comeback to trail just 29-22 at the half.
A Shawn Jones dunk at the 10:02 mark of the second half closed the gap to 48-45. Jeff Laidig responded immediately with a 3-point shot to push Belmont's lead to 51-45. The Blue Raiders could not get closer.
Jones led Middle Tennessee with 21 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. Belmont was 25 of 32 at the free-throw line, compared to Middle Tennessee's 14 of 23.
Game Information
Murfreesboro, TN
Referee:Rick Crawford
Referee:Gerry Pollard
Referee:Doug Sirmons
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |
| Conference USAConference USA | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |
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