Jefferson leads Middle Tennessee against UTEP after 26-point performance

UTEP Miners (16-10, 9-5 C-USA) at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (19-7, 10-3 C-USA)

Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Monday, 7 p.m. EST

LINE: Middle Tennessee -5.5; over/under is 136.5

BOTTOM LINE: Middle Tennessee hosts the UTEP Miners after Josh Jefferson scored 26 points in Middle Tennessee's 87-79 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls.

The Blue Raiders have gone 12-0 in home games. Middle Tennessee averages 75.1 points and has outscored opponents by 7.7 points per game.

The Miners are 9-5 against C-USA opponents. UTEP is 7-5 in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Blue Raiders and Miners meet Monday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jefferson is scoring 15.1 points per game and averaging 3.1 rebounds for the Blue Raiders. Donovan Sims is averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds over the last 10 games for Middle Tennessee.

Souley Boum is scoring 19.6 points per game with 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Miners. Jamal Bieniemy is averaging 12.5 points over the last 10 games for UTEP.

LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Raiders: 9-1, averaging 75.6 points, 30.8 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 7.5 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Miners: 8-2, averaging 71.1 points, 29.3 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.8 points.

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