Middle Tennessee Edges Missouri State in Double Overtime Thriller
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Murphy Center
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 90, Missouri State Bears 87, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Missouri State Bears vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders?
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders beat Missouri State Bears 90-87 at Murphy Center on January 17, 2026.
Who was favored in Missouri State Bears vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders?
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -265 (about 73% implied). The favorite won.
In a gripping contest that extended into double overtime, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders triumphed over the Missouri State Bears with a final score of 90-87. This matchup, held at the Murphy Center, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, making it a notable fixture in their respective seasons.
Middle Tennessee entered the game with a home record of 11-7, while Missouri State had an away record of 10-8. Both teams were looking to improve their standings, and the stakes were high as they faced off against each other. The Blue Raiders had a recent form of 6-4 in their last ten games, although they were coming off a loss against Louisiana Tech, which snapped a brief winning streak. They averaged 69.3 points scored and allowed 65.3 points during this stretch. In contrast, the Bears also boasted a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, but they had experienced a loss against Western Kentucky prior to this matchup. Missouri State's scoring average was slightly higher at 72.4 points per game, but they also allowed an average of 72.8 points.
At home, Middle Tennessee had a strong record of 5-1, while Missouri State struggled with an away record of 1-4. This disparity in performance at home versus away was a critical factor as the Blue Raiders looked to leverage their home-court advantage.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads and battling for control. In the second overtime, Torey Alston made crucial free throws that brought the score to 83-81 in favor of Middle Tennessee. However, Zaxton King responded with a three-point jumper, briefly giving Missouri State the lead at 84-83. The drama continued as Jahvin Carter made a floating jump shot to put the Blue Raiders back ahead, followed by a significant three-pointer from Kamari Lands, extending their lead to 88-84. Antwan Burnett's three-pointer for Missouri State narrowed the gap to 88-87, but Carter sealed the victory for Middle Tennessee with two more free throws, finalizing the score at 90-87.
The odds leading up to the game had Middle Tennessee favored by 5.5 points according to DraftKings, with a total set at 137.5. The Blue Raiders had a moneyline of -265, while the Bears were positioned at +215. This reflected the expectations of the market, which recognized Middle Tennessee's home advantage and recent form.
Both teams faced injury concerns, but the specifics of those injuries were not detailed in the provided facts. The absence of key players can often impact performance, and it would be interesting to see how each team adjusted their strategies in light of any missing personnel.
As for the conditions during the game, there was no specific mention of weather or other environmental factors, but the atmosphere in the Murphy Center was undoubtedly charged, with fans eager to support their home team.
Viewers should have kept an eye on the performances of key players such as Jahvin Carter, who not only made critical shots but also contributed to the scoring in the clutch moments of the game. Additionally, the shooting accuracy from beyond the arc proved to be pivotal, with both teams showcasing their ability to hit crucial three-pointers when it mattered most.
In conclusion, the matchup between Middle Tennessee and Missouri State delivered an exhilarating experience for fans, highlighted by a thrilling finish that required two overtime periods to determine the winner. The Blue Raiders' ability to capitalize on their home advantage and execute in high-pressure situations ultimately led them to victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MTSU -5.5 | 137.5 o -115 / u -105 | Missouri State Bears +215 · Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders -265 |
Leaders
- PointsTorey Alston22Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- AssistsJahvin Carter5Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- ReboundsChris Loofe10Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- PointsKeith Palek III20Missouri State Bears
- AssistsKeith Palek III7Missouri State Bears
- ReboundsKeith Palek III8Missouri State Bears
Recent form
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Last 10: 6-4Streak L169.3 scored · 65.3 allowed per game5-1 at home
- L58-59at Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 15
- W59-55at New Mexico State AggiesJan 11
- L80-83at UTEP MinersJan 9
- W68-67vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 4
- W88-51vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 3
- L60-69at Houston CougarsDec 30
- W74-58vs Cumberland PhoenixDec 21
- W68-67vs Kennesaw State OwlsDec 18
- L62-83vs Belmont BruinsDec 7
- W76-61vs UAB BlazersDec 2
Missouri State Bears
Last 10: 6-4Streak L172.4 scored · 72.8 allowed per game1-4 away
- L72-87at Western Kentucky HilltoppersJan 15
- W79-71vs Florida International PanthersJan 10
- L80-90at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 8
- W89-82vs New Mexico State AggiesJan 4
- W79-55vs UTEP MinersJan 3
- W61-43at Delaware Blue HensDec 29
- W70-65vs Lindenwood LionsDec 23
- W63-62vs Oral Roberts Golden EaglesDec 17
- L57-75at Xavier MusketeersDec 13
- L74-98at Tulsa Golden HurricaneDec 6
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 | Missouri State Bears | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-69 | 29-55 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 53 |
| Three-pointers | 11-25 | 14-28 |
| Three-point % | 44 | 50 |
| Free throws | 16-26 | 18-23 |
| Free throw % | 62 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 18 | 27 |
| Assists | 16 | 17 |
| Steals | 10 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 18 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 26 |
| Fouls | 22 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 12 | 12 |
| Time in front | 40 | 41 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half54-51Torey Alston makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half56-51Zaxton King makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-54Tre Green makes 24-foot three point jumper (Torey Alston assists)
- 2nd Half59-54Keith Palek III makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trey Williams Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half61-54Michael Osei-Bonsu makes 8-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half61-55Tre Green makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-56Tre Green makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-56Zaxton King makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trey Williams Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half64-59Torey Alston makes 23-foot three point jumper (Sean Smith assists)
- 2nd Half64-60Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-61Torey Alston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-63Torey Alston makes driving layup (Tre Green assists)
- 2nd Half65-63Keith Palek III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-63Keith Palek III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-64Chris Loofe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-66Sean Smith makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half66-68Sean Smith makes layup
- 2nd Half67-68Michael Osei-Bonsu makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-68Michael Osei-Bonsu makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT69-68Michael Osei-Bonsu makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT69-70Chris Loofe makes 1-foot dunk (Kamari Lands assists)
- OT69-73Kamari Lands makes 25-foot three point jumper (Torey Alston assists)
- OT72-73Kobi Williams makes 23-foot three point jumper
- OT72-75Sean Smith makes 20-foot step back jumpshot
- OT75-75Trey Williams Jr. makes 27-foot three point jumper (Michael Osei-Bonsu assists)
- OT75-78Kamari Lands makes 26-foot three point jumper
- OT78-78Keith Palek III makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kobi Williams assists)
- 2OT78-80Jahvin Carter makes driving layup
- 2OT78-81Jahvin Carter makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2OT79-81Keith Palek III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT80-81Kobi Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT81-81Kobi Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2OT81-82Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT81-83Torey Alston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2OT84-83Zaxton King makes 24-foot three point jumper (Keith Palek III assists)
- 2OT84-85Jahvin Carter makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2OT84-88Kamari Lands makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2OT87-88Antwan Burnett makes 23-foot three point jumper (Zaxton King assists)
- 2OT87-89Jahvin Carter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT87-90Jahvin Carter makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, below favours Missouri State Bears.
Venue
- Murphy CenterMurfreesboro, TN
- Attendance4482
- OfficialsRandal Anders, Hunter Allen, James Gibson
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