Evansville Purple Aces at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
· CHALLENGE IN MUSIC CITY
<span class="badge bg-danger" style="font-size: 1.2em; margin: 5px 0;">Final</span>
55 - 66
55 - 66
Middle Tennessee beats Evansville to win Music City, 66-55
Middle Tennessee won the Great Alaska Shootout last season, then won the Conference USA tourney before upsetting No. 2 Michigan State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
The Blue Raiders clinched the title with their 73-70 overtime win over Toledo Saturday. Evansville lost all three tournament games in Nashville.
Reggie Upshaw contributed 14 points for Middle Tennessee (6-1), which now has won fourth straight win after losing to in-state rival Tennessee State. It was the Blue Raiders second win over Evansville in three meetings.
Ryan Taylor finished with 22 points to lead the Purple Aces (2-4), who play their next five straight at home.
Middle Tennessee now heads to Oxford to play Ole Miss Wednesday.
How can I watch Evansville vs. Middle Tennessee?
Statistics
 EVAN |
 MTSU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 17-40 | FG | 25-52 |
| 43 | Field Goal % | 48 |
| 3-10 | 3PT | 5-14 |
| 30 | Three Point % | 36 |
| 18-27 | FT | 11-17 |
| 67 | Free Throw % | 65 |
| 31 | Rebounds | 29 |
| 6 | Offensive Rebounds | 7 |
| 25 | Defensive Rebounds | 22 |
| 8 | Assists | 14 |
| 3 | Steals | 7 |
| 2 | Blocks | 3 |
| 17 | Turnovers | 10 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 17 | Total Turnovers | 10 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Points Off Turnovers | 0 |
| 0 | Fast Break Points | 0 |
| 0 | Points in Paint | 0 |
| 22 | Fouls | 19 |
Game Information
Venue: Municipal Auditorium (TN)
Location: Nashville, TN
Capacity:
Location: Nashville, TN
Capacity:
2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |
2025-26 Conference USA Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 8 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |