The short-handed 49ers (5-16, 1-9 C-USA) gave Conference USA leader Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (18-5, 10-1 C-USA) all they had falling, 78-73, in Halton Arena.
Jon Davis led the 49ers with 20 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and four assists. 15 of Davis’s points came in the second half. Najee Garvin scored 17 points. Austin Ajukwa scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Prior to Saturday’s contest, redshirt freshman Ryan Murphy broke his ankle in shoot around and is out for the season.
Middle Tennessee’s Nick King posted a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Blue Raiders.