Middle Tennessee Edges Kennesaw State in Thrilling Finish
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 6:30 PM ET · VyStar Arena
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 90, Kennesaw State Owls 87, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Kennesaw State Owls?
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders beat Kennesaw State Owls 90-87 at VyStar Arena on February 12, 2026.
Who was favored in Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Kennesaw State Owls?
Kennesaw State Owls were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -162 (about 62% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders triumphed over the Kennesaw State Owls with a final score of 90-87. This victory marked a significant moment for Middle Tennessee, who had previously struggled in their recent games, while Kennesaw State faced challenges of their own. The game took place at VyStar Arena, showcasing the competitive spirit of both teams in the NCAAB league.
Kennesaw State entered the game with a home record of 14-10 and had shown a mixed form in their last ten games, posting a record of 6-4. However, they were on a one-game losing streak, having lost to Jacksonville State Gamecocks 58-77 in their most recent outing on February 8. The Owls had averaged 76.9 points scored and allowed 75.4 points in their last ten games, indicating a propensity for high-scoring affairs. At home, they had been particularly strong, boasting a 5-0 record in their last five home games prior to this match.
On the other hand, Middle Tennessee came into the game with a record of 12-12, having struggled recently with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games. They were on a five-game losing streak, with their last game resulting in a narrow loss to the Delaware Blue Hens, 88-89. The Blue Raiders averaged 71.0 points scored and allowed 74.9 points during this stretch. Their away record was notably poor, as they had only won 1 of their last 5 away games.
The historical context of this matchup added to its intrigue, as Kennesaw State had not won against Middle Tennessee in their last three meetings, dating back to the 2025 season. The previous encounters included a close loss at home 75-76 and an away loss 67-68, highlighting the competitiveness of these fixtures.
In terms of player availability, the block did not specify any injuries affecting either team, which meant both squads were likely at full strength for this crucial contest.
The betting market reflected a close contest, with DraftKings setting the spread at -3.5 in favor of Kennesaw State, indicating that they were expected to win by a small margin. The total points line was set at 148.5, suggesting an expectation for a high-scoring game.
As the game unfolded, it was clear that both teams were eager to secure a much-needed victory. The second half saw a flurry of scoring, with Middle Tennessee making critical free throws down the stretch. Sean Smith was instrumental for the Blue Raiders, converting several key free throws that helped maintain their lead. RJ Johnson also made significant contributions, including a crucial dunk that briefly gave Middle Tennessee a narrow edge.
The final moments were tense, with Kennesaw State pushing hard to close the gap. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome the Blue Raiders, who held on for the win. The game showcased the resilience of Middle Tennessee, who managed to break their losing streak in dramatic fashion, while Kennesaw State would need to regroup after this narrow defeat.
Overall, this matchup was a testament to the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination. The final score of 90-87 not only reflects the close nature of the game but also sets the stage for future encounters between these two teams.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | KENN -3.5 | 148.5 o -108 / u -112 | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders +136 · Kennesaw State Owls -162 |
Leaders
- PointsBraedan Lue23Kennesaw State Owls
- AssistsRJ Johnson7Kennesaw State Owls
- ReboundsFrankquon Sherman10Kennesaw State Owls
- PointsSean Smith22Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- AssistsKamari Lands7Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- ReboundsTorey Alston6Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Recent form
Kennesaw State Owls
Last 10: 6-4Streak L176.9 scored · 75.4 allowed per game5-0 at home
- L58-77at Jacksonville State GamecocksFeb 8
- W76-53vs New Mexico State AggiesJan 31
- W72-69vs Western Kentucky HilltoppersJan 29
- L76-82at Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 23
- L87-93at Sam Houston BearkatsJan 22
- W81-65at Western Kentucky HilltoppersJan 17
- W89-86vs Florida International PanthersJan 15
- W88-82vs Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 10
- W90-80vs Missouri State BearsJan 8
- L52-67at Delaware Blue HensJan 4
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Last 10: 3-7Streak L571 scored · 74.9 allowed per game1-4 away
- L88-89at Delaware Blue HensFeb 7
- L84-88vs Florida International PanthersFeb 5
- L60-65vs Western Kentucky HilltoppersJan 31
- L65-81vs Liberty FlamesJan 30
- L58-75at Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 24
- W90-87vs Missouri State BearsJan 17
- L58-59at Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 15
- W59-55at New Mexico State AggiesJan 11
- L80-83at UTEP MinersJan 9
- W68-67vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 4
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | Kennesaw State Owls |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-53 | 31-62 |
| Field goal % | 55 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 9-22 | 12-31 |
| Three-point % | 41 | 39 |
| Free throws | 23-28 | 13-21 |
| Free throw % | 82 | 62 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 28 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 18 |
| Assists | 14 | 15 |
| Steals | 7 | 8 |
| Blocks | 7 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 15 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 38 |
| Fouls | 15 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 3 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 19 | 19 |
| Time in front | 15 | 81 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half56-58Frankquon Sherman makes 23-foot three point jumper (RJ Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half58-58Marcus Whitlock Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-60Braedan Lue makes 8-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half58-63Trey Simpson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Frankquon Sherman assists)
- 2nd Half61-63Alec Oglesby makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half62-63Torey Alston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-65Braedan Lue makes 1-foot dunk (RJ Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half63-65Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-66RJ Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-68RJ Johnson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half63-70Frankquon Sherman makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-70Torey Alston makes layup
- 2nd Half67-70Marcus Whitlock Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half68-70Kamari Lands makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half69-70Kamari Lands makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half71-70Torey Alston makes 3-foot dunk (Kamari Lands assists)
- 2nd Half71-71Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-72Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-72Sean Smith makes 13-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half73-74Braedan Lue makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half73-75Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-76Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-76Sean Smith makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half75-79Frankquon Sherman makes 24-foot three point jumper (RJ Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half78-79Marcus Whitlock Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Sean Smith assists)
- 2nd Half78-80Braedan Lue makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-81Braedan Lue makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-81Torey Alston makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half81-81Sean Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-81Sean Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half82-83Frankquon Sherman makes 1-foot dunk (Jaden Harris assists)
- 2nd Half84-83Chris Loofe makes 3-foot dunk (Kamari Lands assists)
- 2nd Half85-83Sean Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-83Sean Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half86-85RJ Johnson makes 4-foot dunk
- 2nd Half87-85Sean Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half88-85Sean Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half88-87RJ Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half89-87Kamari Lands makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half90-87Kamari Lands makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Kennesaw State Owls, below favours Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
Venue
- VyStar ArenaKennesaw, GA
- Attendance1676
- OfficialsDoug Shows, Ron Groover, Byron Jarrett
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond