Final: Middle Tennessee men’s basketball (13-5, 4-1 CUSA) dominated Western Kentucky in the second half en route to a 71-57 victory over the visiting Hilltoppers. Jestin Porter led the Blue Raiders in scoring with 15 points, Essam Mostafa led the team in rebounds with 18 and Camryn Weston led the way in assists with four.

MTSU will travel to Huntsville, Texas on Jan. 23 to face off against Sam Houston (8-11, 1-5 CUSA).

4:27 2H: Timeout Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders lead 65-50.

6:43 2H:  WKU takes its last timeout of the game as Jlynn Counter hits a two-point shot. MTSU leads 60-44.

7:15 2H: MTSU holds its largest lead of the game at 56-44 at the media timeout. The crowd erupted at the whistle.

9:57 2H: Back-to-back Tre Green threes give MTSU its largest lead of the game at 51-41.

11:43 2H: MTSU leads 45-39 at the media timeout.

13:08 2H: Don McHenry gets a WKU two-pointer then the Hilltoppers call timeout, trailing 43-39.

13:20 2H: Essam Mostafa is fouled under the basket and turns a three-point play after the foul shot. Middle Tennessee leads 43-37.

14:37 2H: Injury timeout for Julius Thedford of Western Kentucky.

15:12 2H: Things start to get chippy on the court at the first media timeout of the second half. Middle Tennessee leads 37-36.

Halftime: Western Kentucky leads Middle Tennessee 28-27 at the half in the Murphy Center. Camryn Weston leads MTSU in points and assists with 12 and two while Essam Mostafa leads in rebounds with six.

1:48 1H: Cam Weston hits a two and knots the score at 26.

3:47 1H: A double dribble by WKU leads into the next media timeout. Score is tied at 21-21.

5:30 1H: A Julius Thedford three-pointer forces a Middle Tennessee timeout. WKU leads 19-15.

9:46 1H:  Three Jestin Porter free throws tie up the game at 9-9.

16:43 1H: Shot clock violation for the Hilltoppers

18:23 1H: Officials timeout, Western Kentucky leads 2-0.

20:00 1H: Western Kentucky wins the tip.