Middle Tennessee Edges New Mexico State in Overtime Thriller
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:00 PM ET · Murphy Center
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 86, New Mexico State Aggies 85, 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 New Mexico State Aggies vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders?
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders beat New Mexico State Aggies 86-85 at Murphy Center on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in New Mexico State Aggies vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders?
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -258 (about 72% implied). The favorite won.
In a nail-biting contest that extended into overtime, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders triumphed over the New Mexico State Aggies with a final score of 86-85. The game, held at the Murphy Center, showcased the competitive spirit and resilience of both teams, making it a fixture worth noting in the NCAAB landscape.
Middle Tennessee entered the game with a home record of 15-14 and was riding a two-game winning streak, having secured victories against the UTEP Miners and Delaware Blue Hens in their last two outings. Their recent form reflected a mixed bag, with a record of 3-7 over their last ten games, averaging 75.0 points scored while allowing 77.8. At home, they had a record of 2-3 in their last five games, averaging 79.0 points and allowing 76.0.
On the other side, New Mexico State came into the matchup with a record of 13-15, having lost their last game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Their recent performance mirrored Middle Tennessee's struggles, as they also posted a 3-7 record in their last ten games, with an average of 72.1 points scored and 77.1 points allowed. Away from home, New Mexico State had a record of 2-3 in their last five games, averaging 75.8 points while allowing 78.8.
The two teams had met three times in the past two seasons, with Middle Tennessee holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record at 2-1. Their last encounter was on January 11, 2026, where Middle Tennessee won 59-55. The previous two matchups also saw Middle Tennessee victorious, further intensifying the rivalry.
In terms of injuries, no specific details were provided in the block, but such factors often play a crucial role in team performance, particularly in closely contested games like this one.
The betting lines from DraftKings indicated Middle Tennessee as the favorites, with a spread of -5.5 and a moneyline of -258. New Mexico State was listed at a moneyline of 210. The total for the game was set at 148.5, with odds of -105 for the over and -115 for the under, suggesting a competitive scoring environment.
Conditions during the game were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere at the Murphy Center was likely charged, with both teams fighting for crucial positioning as the season progresses.
As the game unfolded, it became a showcase of clutch performances and strategic plays. The scoring plays in overtime highlighted the intensity, with Torey Alston making a pivotal dunk assisted by Jahvin Carter, sealing the narrow victory for Middle Tennessee. The final moments encapsulated the essence of college basketball, where every possession counts and the outcome can hinge on a single play.
For viewers, the matchup served as a reminder of the unpredictability of college basketball, where teams can rally and shift momentum in an instant. The contest not only provided thrilling basketball but also underscored the importance of resilience and teamwork in achieving victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MTSU -5.5 | 148.5 o -105 / u -115 | New Mexico State Aggies +210 · Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders -258 |
Leaders
- PointsJahvin Carter27Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- AssistsJahvin Carter7Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- ReboundsChris Loofe12Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- PointsJemel Jones34New Mexico State Aggies
- AssistsGabe Pickens3New Mexico State Aggies
- ReboundsJemel Jones7New Mexico State Aggies
Recent form
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Last 10: 3-7Streak W275 scored · 77.8 allowed per game2-3 at home
- W77-67vs UTEP MinersFeb 27
- W78-66vs Delaware Blue HensFeb 21
- L70-78at Sam Houston BearkatsFeb 19
- L80-82at Western Kentucky HilltoppersFeb 15
- W90-87at Kennesaw State OwlsFeb 12
- 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
New Mexico State Aggies
Last 10: 3-7Streak L172.1 scored · 77.1 allowed per game2-3 away
- L70-93at Western Kentucky HilltoppersFeb 27
- W67-63vs UTEP MinersFeb 22
- W79-70at Jacksonville State GamecocksFeb 14
- L75-77vs Liberty FlamesFeb 12
- L88-91at UTEP MinersFeb 8
- W72-63at Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 5
- L53-76at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 31
- L64-73vs Delaware Blue HensJan 29
- L78-81vs Florida International PanthersJan 24
- L75-84vs Missouri State BearsJan 23
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 | New Mexico State Aggies | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 33-74 | 29-57 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 7-25 | 7-22 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 32 |
| Free throws | 12-16 | 21-27 |
| Free throw % | 75 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 29 |
| Assists | 10 | 11 |
| Steals | 9 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 15 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 18 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 44 | 36 |
| Fouls | 21 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 14 | 8 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 54 | 26 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half57-46Jemel Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-46Jemel Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-46Julius Mims makes layup (Chris Terrell assists)
- 2nd Half60-48Marcus Whitlock Jr. makes layup (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half60-49Chris Loofe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-50Chris Loofe makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-52Jahvin Carter makes layup
- 2nd Half60-53Jahvin Carter makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-53Jemel Jones makes layup
- 2nd Half62-55Jahvin Carter makes layup
- 2nd Half64-55Julius Mims makes layup (Jemel Jones assists)
- 2nd Half64-56Chris Loofe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-56Julius Mims makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-59Tre Green makes 26-foot three point jumper (Marcus Whitlock Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half67-59Jae'Coby Osborne makes 3-foot dunk (Anthony Wrzeszcz assists)
- 2nd Half67-61Torey Alston makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half67-62Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half69-62Jemel Jones makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half69-63Torey Alston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-64Chris Loofe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-65Chris Loofe makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-65Jemel Jones makes 4-foot jumper
- 2nd Half71-67Jahvin Carter makes layup
- 2nd Half73-67Jemel Jones makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half73-70Tre Green makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half76-70Jemel Jones makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half76-73Jahvin Carter makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tre Green assists)
- 2nd Half76-75Jahvin Carter makes layup
- 2nd Half76-76Jahvin Carter makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT78-76Jae'Coby Osborne makes layup
- OT78-78Chris Loofe makes 0-foot tip in layup
- OT80-78Jemel Jones makes 15-foot jumper
- OT80-80Torey Alston makes 4-foot jumper
- OT81-80Jemel Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT81-81Jahvin Carter makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT81-82Jahvin Carter makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT81-84Jahvin Carter makes 5-foot jumper
- OT83-84Jemel Jones makes 12-foot jumper
- OT85-84Jemel Jones makes 9-foot jumper
- OT85-86Torey Alston makes 2-foot dunk (Jahvin Carter assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, below favours New Mexico State Aggies.
Venue
- Murphy CenterMurfreesboro, TN
- Attendance3121
- OfficialsChris Ford, Blake Harris, Jason Deering
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