By GREG MENGELT

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Josh Jefferson scored 5 points and Middle Tennessee beat in-state rival UT Martin 73-61 Wednesday for their fourth win in a row.

Jefferson, who helped lead New Albany to the 2016 state championship, also had 5 rebounds as the Blue Raiders won for the seventh time in eight games. The Middle Tennessee senior was 2 for 7, including 1 for 5 from behind the 3-point line, in 15 minutes.

Sophomore Eli Lawrence had a game-high 19 points for the Blue Raiders, who were 13 of 16 from the free throw line in the win. Senior guard Donovan Sims added 15 and sophomore forward Tyler Millin finished with 11 points off the bench for Middle Tennessee.

The Raiders trailed 6-1 early, but Jefferson’s 3-pointer pulled his team within 2 points with 15:55 left in the first half. Jefferson then gave Middle Tennessee an 11-9 advantage with a layup at the 11:37 mark.

Middle Tennessee led 34-27 at halftime and led by as many as 16 after Millin’s 3-pointer with 1:05 to go.

UT Martin (3-5) was led by Darius Simmons, who had 17 points in defeat.

Middle Tennessee gets a true road test Saturday when it visits Murray State at 8 p.m. Jefferson and the Raiders can be seen taking on the 6-1 Racers, who have won three straight, on ESPN Plus.