MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Louisiana Tech secured a victory over Middle Tennessee on Thursday night, with Sean Newman Jr. leading the Bulldogs with an impressive 23 points in their 85-74 win.

Newman also added six assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities for the Bulldogs, who now have an overall record of 18-9 and 7-7 in Conference USA play. Al Green contributed significantly to the team’s success, scoring 16 points while making 5 of his 10 shots from the field, including 3 from beyond the arc, and went 3 for 4 at the free-throw line. Amaree Abram also made his mark on the game, finishing with 14 points on 5 of 11 shooting, though he struggled somewhat from three-point range, converting only 2 of his 7 attempts.

For the Blue Raiders, Jestin Porter stood out with 16 points, in addition to six rebounds and two steals. Middle Tennessee saw additional support from Jlynn Counter and Camryn Weston, both of whom scored 12 points to keep the game competitive.

The turning point of the game arrived when Louisiana Tech took control with just 58 seconds remaining in the first half and maintained their lead throughout. Green was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs during the first half, tallying 13 points and helping to secure a 39-33 advantage at halftime. The Bulldogs surged in the second half, executing a remarkable 13-1 run to establish a commanding 16-point lead at 52-36, just under 15 minutes left in the game, ultimately allowing them to close out the victory.

In terms of their upcoming schedule, both squads will be in action again on Saturday. Louisiana Tech will head to Western Kentucky for their next matchup, while Middle Tennessee will host Sam Houston at home.