Middle Tennessee routs Florida Atlantic, 82-58

Jan 10, 2015, 10:17 pm

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Darnell Harris scored 24 points as Middle Tennessee ran away from Florida Atlantic for an 82-58 Conference USA win Saturday night.

The Blue Raiders held an eight-point lead at the break, 42-24, but opened the second half on a 29-9 run and never looked back. Marcus Tarrance drilled a 3-pointer 16 seconds into the second half to spark the run.

Tarrance, Reggie Upshaw Jr. and Perrin Buford each added a dozen points for Middle Tennessee (9-7, 2-1 C-USA), which shot 45 percent from the field (27 of 60), including 4 of 17 from distance, and was 24 of 26 from the free throw line. The Blue Raiders outrebounded the Owls 39-19.

Solomon Poole had 17 points to lead Florida Atlantic (7-7, 0-3), which struggled with possession, committing 16 turnovers while Middle Tennessee collected nine steals. Marquan Botley and C.J. Turman added 11 and 10 points, respectively.