Middle Tennessee falls short despite Jlynn Counter's 22 points

In the recent college basketball matchup, Middle Tennessee faced the Belmont Bruins in a closely contested game that ended in an 82-79 defeat for the Blue Raiders. The game, held in Tennessee on December 14, 2024, saw standout performances, particularly from Middle Tennessee's Jlynn Counter, who scored a significant 22 points. This loss drops Middle Tennessee to a 7-3 overall record. The Blue Raiders, known for their strong home performance with a 3-1 record at home, are currently ranked third in college basketball for their scoring efficiency in the paint, led by Essam Mostafa whose average stands at an impressive 11.2 points in this area. However, despite their effective inside-game strategy, they struggled to fend off the Bruins throughout the game. On the other side, Middle Tennessee's opponent, Belmont, managed to maintain consistent offensive pressure, leading to a close score throughout the match. The Lancers, contrastingly, have shown vulnerabilities on the road, holding an 0-2 record in away games, which could indicate issues with their ability to perform under pressure. As the Blue Raiders continue to develop their strategy and refine their play against tougher opponents, they will need to address their defensive lapses in games like these if they hope to convert close games into wins moving forward.