BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Middle Tennessee shot 58 percent and enjoyed a whopping edge at the foul line while eliminating third-seeded Marshall 99-90 in the Conference USA semifinals Friday.
The Thundering Herd (17-16) went 9-of-19 on free throws while the Blue Raiders (23-9) hit 31-of-41.
“For this game, I felt like we learned how hard you have to play to advance in a tournament,” Herd coach Dan D’Antoni said. “In their press, we were soft. We didn’t attack it strongly like we will and we can. Things are bright and things are looking good. We’ll be back next year.”
Austin Loop hit three 3-pointers to join Stevie Browning with a team-high 20 points. Ryan Taylor and Justin Edmonds scored 13 points apiece, and senior forward James Kelly finished with 11 points.
Jaqawn Raymond scored 20 to lead five Middle Tennessee players in double figures.