O’Neil’s 15 leads 4 in double figures as Middle Tennessee defeats South Alabama 81-54

Middle Tennessee defeats South Alabama 81-54

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Calvin O’Neil scored 15 points and Middle Tennessee defeated South Alabama 81-54 on Saturday night.

The Blue Raiders (17-12, 11-5 Sun Belt Conference) shot 51.9 percent from the field (28 of 54), including going 8-for-16 from 3-point range.

Montarrio Haddock chipped in 14 points, Rod Emanuel 12 and James Gallman 10 for Middle Tennessee, who won for the fourth time in five games.

The Blue Raiders scored five straight to go ahead 21-20 on Gallman’s 3 with 6:19 left in the first half. Martino Brock then hit two free throws to put the Jaguars (15-14, 7-10) back on top, 22-21, but they were outscored 16-4 the rest of the half as the Blue Raiders built a 37-26 halftime lead.

Middle Tennessee led by as much as 74-71 on Desmond Yates’ 3-pointer with 4:19 left.

Tim Williams had 17 points, Brock 14 and Jayson Guerrier 12 for South Alabama.