Haddock scores 15 points as Middle Tennessee State holds off North Texas 69-64

Middle Tennessee State defeats North Texas 69-64

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Montarrio Haddock scored 15 points and Middle Tennessee State defeated North Texas 69-64 on Saturday night.

Calvin O’Neil added 13 points, and Desmond Yates and Rod Emanuel each had 12 for the Blue Raiders (13-10, 8-3 Sun Belt Conference), who have won five games in a row.

The Blue Raiders never trailed and held their largest lead of the game at 22-10 with 8:21 remaining in the first half. But the Mean Green battled back to cut the lead to 35-31 at halftime.

The margin was eight points or less the rest of the way, and North Texas cut the lead to 66-64 with 1:37 to go on a 3-pointer by Shannon Shorter. The Blue Raiders iced the game with a dunk by Emanuel and a free throw by Haddock in the final minute.

Tristan Thompson had 17 points, Josh White added 13, and George Odufuwa had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Mean Green (13-8, 6-5).