Middle Tennessee defeats Grand Canyon 79-56

Dec 30, 2013, 07:18 pm

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Shawn Jones scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds in leading Middle Tennessee to a 79-56 victory over Grand Canyon on Monday in the consolation game of the Dr Pepper Classic.

The Blue Raiders (9-5) scored the game's first 12 points and were up 42-24 at halftime by turning 10 Grand Canyon turnovers into 19 points and shooting 54.8 percent (17 of 31) in the first 20 minutes. The Antelopes never got closer than 16 points in the second half.

Reggie Upshaw and Neiko Hunter scored 12 points each for the Blue Raiders with Kerry Hammonds adding 11.

The Antelopes, who lost their fifth consecutive game, were led by Killian Larson's 22 points and 14 rebounds, his 10th double-double of the season. Jerome Garrison added 14 points. Grand Canyon made 28 of 34 free-throw attempts but that couldn't make up for 31 percent shooting (13 of 42) from the floor.