Photo by Tyler Lamb / Sports Editor
Middle Tennessee (31-4) sent Minnesota (24-10) back home after a 81-72 win Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. After slow start which saw them go down 7-0, the Blue Raiders turned on the jets, coming back, taking the lead and never giving it up.
Reggie Upshaw was the man of the day, scoring 16 of his game-high 19 points in the second half. Fellow senior JaCorey Williams cashed in on 13 points while Giddy Potts dropped 15.
Reserve big man Brandon Walters also impressed , scoring 10 points and grabbing six boards.
The Blue Raiders move on to the second round which will be played Saturday at 6:10 pm on TBS.
Relive the day in the photos below:
Head coach Kermit Davis waives to fans as his team departs from the hotel towards the arena to play Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders went up against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the BMO Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
The “March Madness” logo can be seen throughout the BMO Bradley Center this weekend for NCAA Tournament first-round games in Milwaukee, WI on from March 16-18. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
The Blue Raiders head onto the floor led by Giddy Potts prior to an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
Aldonis Foote runs out of the tunnel for an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
JaCorey Williams puts up a hook shot in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU’s Brandon Walters puts up a shot over Reggie Lynch in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
Reggie Upshaw knocks down a 3-pointer in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
JaCorey Williams (22) and Antwain Johnson (2) celebrate in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU guard Qua Copeland passes the ball in bounds during an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU’s Brandon Walters guarded closely by Bakary Konate in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU senior Aldonis Foote (45) shoots over Jordan Murphy (3) in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU’s Antwain Johnson hangs in the air for a basket during an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU center Brandon Walters dunks it in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU forward JaCorey Williams (Blue) puts up a shot over Reggie Lynch (White) in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU’s Ed Simpson (11) connects from deep over Dupree McBrayer (1) in a 3-pointer in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
The MTSU Band of Blue singing and dancing during an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU freshman point guard pull up in the lane during an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
Giddy Potts (20) passes the ball into JaCorey Williams (22) during an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU star Giddy Potts takes it strong to the basket during an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
Tyrik Dixon (0) drives on Stephon Sharp (15) in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
Reggie Upshaw (30) sends the ball inside to teammate JaCorey Williams (22) in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU’s Brandon Walters goes up for the layup in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
The Blue Raider fan base made their presence known during in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
Reggie Upshaw (30) makes a 3-pointer in the second half over Nate Mason (2) in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU’s Tyrik Dixon sits in front of Minnesota point guard Nate Mason during an NCAA first-round game in Milwaukee, WI at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
JaCorey Williams celebrates after an And-1 made basket in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU seniors Aldonis Foote and JaCorey Williams embrace towards the end of an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
Blue Raider head coach Kermit Davis being interviewed by a TNT reporter during an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
MTSU head coach giving a speech in the locker room to his team following in an NCAA Tournament first-round game against Minnesota in Milwaukee, WI on March 16, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)
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