The Ford Center at The Star will host a C-USA semifinal between the UAB Blazers and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Friday night. UAB won their Conference Tournament game Thursday night 80-66 over Florida Atlantic after shooting 48.2% from the floor and 46.2% from beyond the arc to pick up the win.
Jordan Walker led the way for the UAB offense with 26 points on 7-20 in 35 minutes on the floor. Quan Jackson added in a second best 20 points and a team high 14 rebounds, while Michael Ertel scored 16 points as the third starter in double figures.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders finished the year as the top team in the conference on their side and roll into the conference semifinals following a 7 point win over UTEP. MTSU shot the ball poorly converting on only 39% from the floor but their defense held UTEP to 37.5% from the floor and forced 15 turnovers. Eli Lawrence was the leading scorer for MTSU with 19 points in the game.
Josh Jefferson leads the Middle Tennessee offense as one of three players averaging double figures scoring 14.7 points per game of 44.6% shooting. Eli Lawrence is second on the team posting 11 points and Donovan Sims chips in the third best in 27 points go along with team high 2.6.
