MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team dropped game three of a three game CUSA road trip on Saturday. The Gamecocks fell 81-64 to Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro.

Jax State falls to 9-7 (1-2 CUSA) on the season while the Blue Raiders improve to 12-5 (3-1 CUSA).

Middle Tennessee State started hot, jumping out to a 24-8 lead in the first 10 minutes of action before the Gameoccks were able to find their groove on offense, outscoring MTSU 19-13 the rest of the way. The Blue Raiders took a 37-27 advantage into the break.

Michael Houge led the way for Jax State in the first half with 10 rebounds and six assists. Coming off of a career night at Western Kentucky on Thursday, Mason Nicholson had eight points in the first half. Nicholson suffered an injury just before the half and did not return.

Jaron Pierre Jr. and Koree Cotton teamed up, knocking down a pair of triples out of the break and cutting the Blue Raider lead down to four. MTSU rallied to lead by as many as 18 in the second half.

The Gamecocks made one last effort, bringing themselves within single digits with five minutes remaining in the contest before a late Blue Raider push resulted in the 17-point final deficit.

Middle Tennessee out-rebounded the Gamecocks 38-37, marking just the second time this season that Jax State has been out-rebounded.

Pierre finished his outing with 22 points, his 12th 20-point outing of the season. Houge was the Gamecocks second leading scorer with 11 points of his own while four others finished with seven or more points.

Jestin Porter led the way for Middle Tennessee with 29 points, shooting 9-of-22 from the floor while Essam Mostafa wrapped up his evening with 22 points.

Michael Houge poured on 10 rebounds to reach his fourth double-double of the season. Pierre added nine rebounds and three assists. Quel'Ron House led Jax State with five assists. 

Middle Tennessee took advantage of the depleted Gamecock roster, outsourcing Jax State 40-28 in the paint and 15-9 in second chance buckets.

Jax State returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 16 when it welcomes Louisiana Tech to town. The Thursday tip off against the Bulldogs is set for 6 p.m. at The Pete.