Final | MTSU 80 WKU 82

Teagan Moore sinks both free throws, and MTSU’s Sean Smith misses a mid-range jumper as time expires. The Blue Raiders’ (12-13, 6-8 CUSA) comeback attempt falls short as they drop their second straight game against Western Kentucky (13-12, 7-7 CUSA).

MTSU’s next contest is set for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Sam Houston State University (17-8, 9-5 CUSA). Tip-off between the Blue Raiders and Bearkats is set for 6:30 p.m. with the game slated to air on ESPN+.

MTSU stat leaders

• Points: Kamari Lands, 20
• Rebounds: Luka Jovanovic, 5
• Assists: Sean Smith, 7

WKU stat leaders

• Points: Teagan Moore, 28
• Rebounds: Grant Newell, 7
• Assists: Terrion Murdix, 7

2H: 0:03 | MTSU 80 WKU 80

MTSU’s Torey Alston fouls Teagan Moore, who will go to the line for two. Alston fouls out.

2H: 0:28 | MTSU 79 WKU 80

WKU’s defense forces MTSU’s Kamari Lands to burn his team’s final timeout to avoid a five-second call.

2H: 0:28 | MTSU 79 WKU 80

Middle Tennessee spends a timeout late in this one.

2H: 2:01 | MTSU 79 WKU 76

MTSU’s Chris Loofe picks up his fifth foul of the game and fouls out.

2H: 3:58 | MTSU 74 WKU 70

Middle Tennessee leads WKU at the final media timeout. The Hilltoppers are currently on a 2:10 scoring drought. MTSU’s Chris Loofe and Luka Jovanovic have four fouls each.

2H: 4:48 | MTSU 74 WKU 70

Leeroy Odiahi fouls MTSU’s Torey Alston, and the Blue Raider guard sinks two free throws. It’s MTSU’s first two-possession lead since 12:01 to go in the first half.

2H: 6:00 | MTSU 69 WKU 70

MTSU’s Luka Jovanovic picks up his fourth foul. Chris Loofe, who also has four, subs in for the freshman.

2H: 8:04 | MTSU 65 WKU 66

WKU head coach Hank Plona takes a timeout after the Hilltoppers take the lead back. The Blue Raiders have hit eight of their last 10 shots from the field.

2H: 9:34 | MTSU 62 WKU 64

Chris Loofe picks up his fourth foul and sends Grant Newell to the line for the and-one, but he misses.

2H: 10:03 | MTSU 62 WKU 62

MTSU’s Sean Smith ties the game with a three-pointer.

2H: 11:28 | MTSU 57 WKU 62

After trailing by as much as 14 points, the Blue Raiders are back in this one for the time being. Middle Tennessee has hit its last five shots from the field to shrink WKU’s lead to five.

2H: 13:03 | MTSU 53 WKU 59

Sean Smith sinks a step-back mid-range shot and brings MTSU within six points. The Blue Raiders will get the ball right back after a foul by WKU’s Blaise Keita.

2H: 15:52 | MTSU 41 WKU 55

WKU’s Teagan Moore fouls Luka Jovanovic, and Middle Tennessee’s freshman center will shoot two free throws after the media stoppage.

2H: 17:25 | MTSU 39 WKU 50

Western Kentucky takes its largest lead of the game at 11 points and forces MTSU head coach Nick McDevitt to spend a timeout. WKU starts the second half with an 8-2 run.

Halftime | MTSU 37 WKU 42

The Blue Raiders trail the Hilltoppers going into the break. WKU is 8-of-16 from three-point range, while MTSU is 3-of-13 from outside the arc. MT’s Kamari Lands drained a three-pointer for the first half’s final points.

MTSU stat leaders

• Points: Kamari Lands, 10
• Rebounds: Kamari Lands, 4
• Assists: Alec Oglesby, 1

WKU stat leaders

• Points: Grant Newell, 16
• Rebounds: Grant Newell, 4
• Assists: Terrion Murdix, 5

1H: 3:53 | MTSU 28 WKU 33

WKU’s Kade Unseld fouls Jahvin Carter, and the sophomore guard will go to the line to shoot two for MTSU following the stoppage.

1H: 5:29 | MTSU 25 WKU 30

Sean Smith makes MTSU’s first three-pointer of the game with 7:14 to go in the half. Still, the Blue Raiders are shooting 10% from beyond the arc at the latest media stoppage.

1H: 9:56 | MTSU 16 WKU 22

Middle Tennessee head coach Nick McDevitt takes a timeout as WKU takes its largest lead of the game. The Hilltoppers hit back-to-back three-pointers and are on a 12-2 run over the last 1:56.

1H: 10:59 | MTSU 14 WKU 16

Chris Loofe picks up his second foul and gives MTSU its fifth team foul. On the inbound, Luka Jovanovic fouls WKU’s LJ Hackman, who sinks three free throws.

1H: 12:01 | MTSU 14 WKU 10

WKU head coach Hank Plona challenges an out-of-bounds ruling as officials give Middle Tennessee possession. The Blue Raiders are on a 6-0 run over the last 2:13, highlighted by a Tre Green steal and dunk on the fast break.

Possession stays with MT.

1H: 16:00 | MTSU 6 WKU 7

Some early fireworks between these two longtime foes as Chris Loofe won the tip for Middle Tennessee and Torey Alston threw down a dunk for the game’s first points. WKU’s Grant Newell promptly responded on the next possession with a three-pointer, as both teams continue to settle in.

Three Blue Raiders have early fouls, though, as Loofe, Luka Jovanovic and Jahvin Carter have one each.

MTSU starting lineup

• Kamari Lands – Guard
• Torey Alston – Forward
• Alec Oglesby – Guard
• Chris Loofe – Forward
• Jahvin Carter – Guard

WKU starting lineup

• LJ Hackman – Guard
• Kade Unseld – Guard
• Terrion Murdix – Guard
• Blaise Keita – Forward/Center
• Grant Newell – Forward