Middle Tennessee sneaks by Southern Miss, 62-61

Jan 15, 2015, 10:10 pm

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Reggie Upshaw Jr. scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench to lead Middle Tennessee State to a 62-61 victory over Southern Miss on Thursday night.

Middle Tennessee (10-7, 3-1 Conference USA) led by as many as nine in the second half, but Southern Miss battled back to take a three point lead on a 3-pointer by Chip Armelin with 6:57 left.

The Golden Eagles (5-10, 0-4) would hold that lead until the final 40 seconds, when Upshaw hit a driving layup that put the Blue Raiders back in front by one, 62-61.

Southern Miss would have one final opportunity, but Rasham Suarez misfired from long range and Jaqawn Raymond secured the rebound to seal the game for Middle Tennessee.

Armelin led the Golden Eagles with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Suarez added 14 points.