Photo courtesy of MT Athletics
Middle Tennessee (11-5, 3-1 C-USA) traveled to North Carolina to take on the Charlotte 49ers (4-12, 1-3 C-USA) in another men’s and women’s home and away double-header. The men’s team was able to hold off the 49ers 73-72 behind a clutch free throw from Reggie Upshaw.
The Blue Raiders found themselves trailing 15-10 early in the first half, but Giddy Potts would get the team rolling, something he’s done well all season. Potts scored nine of the team’s first 13 points, en route to a career night. Potts would cool down some down the stretch of the first half, but MT would find themselves ahead at the half, 37-36.
The team was able to make a comeback in the first half behind some outstanding bench play. MTSU’s bench outscored the 49ers bench in the first half 11-0, which would be the key heading into the second half.
The second half began with a Potts three, giving the Blue Raiders their largest lead of the game at four. The 49ers would come back to take another five-point lead seven minutes into the second half, their largest of the game.
The Blue Raiders kept this game close behind Potts’ career-high 29 point game, 20 of which came in the second half. Upshaw would capitalize on a 49ers mistake that sent him to the line with five seconds left with a chance to win the game. Upshaw would miss the first free throw, creating more drama, but he connected on the second, giving Middle Tennessee the 73-72 win.
The Blue Raiders continue their road trip into Saturday, as they take on Old Dominion (9-8, 2-2 C-USA) at 3 p.m.
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