MURFEESBORO, Tenn. – Jason Jones scored 19 points on 9-of-9 shooting and Middle Tennessee trampled Alabama State 97-53 in each team's season opener Friday night.
The Blue Raiders trailed 28-25 with 3:59 left in the first half when three Bruce Massey free throws and a pair of baskets from Jones sparked a 15-1 run to close out the half.
Middle Tennessee picked up where it left off in the second, opening with a 24-4 run. The Blue Raiders outscored the Hornets 57-24 in the second half as Alabama State shot just 26.9 percent (7 of 26) from the field in the half.
James Gallman had 15 points for Middle Tennessee, including 5 of 7 from beyond the 3-point arc. The Blue Raiders were 11 of 27 from 3.
The 97 points were the most for Middle Tennessee since dropping 109 points on Houston Baptist on Feb. 13, 2010.
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