In a thrilling matchup held in Conway, South Carolina, Jestin Porter emerged as the standout player, scoring 24 points, including four crucial points during overtime, leading Middle Tennessee to a narrow 83-81 victory over Ohio on Thursday evening.

With just 4.2 seconds remaining in regulation, Kamari Lands hit a vital three-pointer that evened the score at 75, propelling the game into extra time.

Porter showcased his skills by successfully making 9 of his 18 shots from the field, including 3 out of 6 from beyond the arc, and converted 3 of his 4 attempts at the free-throw line. The Blue Raiders, now holding a record of 4 wins and 1 loss, also saw Essam Mostafa contribute significantly with 19 points, having an impressive shooting performance of 6 for 9 and 7 for 10 at the charity stripe, while also grabbing 13 rebounds. Lands finished with 10 points, though his shooting was less efficient at 4 of 12 overall and 2 of 6 from three-point range.

On the other hand, the Ohio Bobcats, who fell to a 1-4 record, had AJ Brown as their leading scorer with 19 points. Supporting him was AJ Clayton, who not only scored 18 points but also secured 11 rebounds and recorded two steals. Jackson Paveletzke also had a noteworthy performance with 15 points, six rebounds, and a remarkable 11 assists alongside two steals.