Sports

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (BEASLEY)  --  Mid-State sports fans have even more reason to celebrate the start of March Madness.  Two local schools will play in the NCAA tournament.

For the first time in 24 years, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are returning to the NCAA. Middle Tennessee is set to face Saint Mary’s as an eleven seed Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio with a tip off time of 8:10 p.m.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (WMOT)  - Middle Tennessee State’s Lady Raiders came from behind yesterday afternoon to beat the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 53 to 48, and clench the Sun Belt Championship.

The win means the MT women have secured an automatic berth for a school-record fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The NCAA women’s Selection Show is set for next Monday, March 18.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Kermit Davis wants his Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders to seize control of their postseason destiny this year.

The Blue Raiders thought they had an NCAA tournament team a season ago before losing their regular season finale and in the Sun Belt Conference tournament quarterfinals. They wound up in the National Invitation Tournament.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.(AP/WMOT) — Tweety Knight scored a career-high 15 points off the bench to lead Middle Tennessee in an 87-46 shellacking of Louisiana-Monroe Saturday.

The win was the 14th straight for the Blue Raiders the second longest winning streak in program history. They currently stand at 25 and four overall and 17 and 1 in Sun Belt Conference play.

Knight hit 5 of 7 from the field and 4 of 5 at the foul line. Starters Raymond Cintron and Marcos Knight had 11 points each for Middle Tennessee, which has already clinched first in the Sun Belt.