Middle Tennessee handles Southern Miss 61-51

Feb 5, 2015, 10:22 pm

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Marcus Tarrance drained three 3-pointers and sank all six of his shots from the free throw line to lead Middle Tennessee to a 61-51 win over Southern Miss on Thursday night.

Tarrance finished with 15 points and got help from Giddy Potts, who added 14 as Middle Tennessee (13-10, 6-4 Conference USA) snapped a two-game skid.

Edward Simpson Jr. hit a 3-pointer just minutes into the first half -- his only bucket of the night -- to make it 8-5 and give the Blue Raiders the lead for good. In the second half, a dunk by Potts gave Middle Tennessee its largest lead of the game 38-25 and Southern Miss never got closer than six the rest of the way.

Chip Armelin led Southern Miss (6-15, 1-9) with 21 points and Norville Carey added 18 points. Both hauled in six rebounds.