Western Kentucky Beats MT 55-45

NOSSE STREAK GOES TO 10: Senior center Lee Nosse extended his streak of consecutive games scoring in double figures to 10 with a team-high 11 points against Western Kentucky. Nosse, who has been one of the hottest players in the league, also added nine rebounds and a season best five blocks.

SOLID DEFENSIVE EFFORT: Against the favored Hilltoppers, the Blue Raiders played one of their better defensive games. MT held WKU to its fourth worst shooting effort at 36.7 percent, kept them to their lowest scoring game of the year, forced 14 turnovers and had 10 steals and eight blocks. Shooting is what cost the Blue Raiders as they could manage just 19 of 53 shots (35.8 percent) and only 3 of 21 treys.

STREAK BROKEN: Sophomore Tommy Gunn saw his streak of consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer come to an end by going 0-for-4 against the Hilltoppers. Gunn's streak entering the WKU game was 16 straight games with at least one made three-pointer.

THIS -N' THAT: Middle Tennessee's 16 first half points were the fewest points this season in any half of play - William Pippen was back in the starting lineup for the first time since Jan. 5 at Florida International - The Blue Raiders' eight blocks against WKU was their most since rejecting nine against IUPUI on Nov. 21 - Tommy Gunn recorded a career best two blocked shots - Bryant Mitchell's six points off the bench was his most in a game since collecting six against Tennessee State on Dec. 8 - Middle Tennessee's six free throw attempts against Western matched the lowest total of the year (UT-Martin) - The Blue Raiders fell to 6-2 on the season at home.

QUOTES

MT Head Coach Randy Wiel:
"Our first half execution was not what we wanted it to be, but credit Western Kentucky's great defensive effort. I Middle Tennessee and Western have the two best defenses in the league."

"Western Kentucky's David Boyden made two key three point shots for them when they needed them most. I think Tommy (Gunn) tried to hard in the first half, but played more like himself in the second half. I was proud of our effort overall, especially in the second half."

"Looking at the stats, everything was pretty even between us except the score. I think we need better guard play especially in critical game clock situations."

MT Center Lee Nosse:
"We came out playing hard in the first half. I think it was the best defense we have played in a long time. Western Kentucky came out and played the best defense we've seen all season. They were really up in our face all night."

WKU Head Coach Dennis Felton:
"I don't think we struggled in shooting. Derek Robinson has been a clutch player for us all year long. He has been delivering on consistent bases, and has become a complete guard. I think Derek did a great job on Middle Tennessee's Tommy Gunn because he is an explosive player."

"MT's Lee Nosse is a good player who helps out the team a lot. He plays good defense and knocks down the three point shot when you need him to."

"Lately we have been talking about composure in key situations. We are doing that with more consistency as the season

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