Blue Raider bench powers 17-point victory

RUSTON, La. – Middle Tennessee's first-half explosion gave it a comfortable lead Saturday as it cruised to a 68-51 win over LA Tech at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Blue Raider bench outscored the Bulldog reserves 36-12 in the victory against a team that had won 73 of its previous 84 home games.

The Blue Raiders (13-7,6-3 Conference USA) took a 43-24 lead into the locker room at halftime on the strength of an eight-for-15 (.533) shooting performance from 3-point range. Elias King scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half, making three of his five 3-point attempts.

MTSU held LA Tech to its lowest 3-point percentage of the year at .143 (3-21), including an 0-for-8 drought in the second…