By GREG MENGELT

MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State held off Middle Tennessee for a 93-87 win Saturday despite 31 points from the Blue Raiders’ Josh Jefferson.

Jefferson, a former New Albany star, went 11 for 21 from the field, made five of his 12 3-point attempts and four of his five free throws at the CFSB Center.

Jefferson, a senior transfer from Green Bay, also had 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal in the loss, which was Middle Tennessee’s second of the season.

Jefferson was one of three Blue Raiders in double figures. Senior guard Donovan Sims finished with 19 points and sophomore guard Eli Lawrence had 13. Jefferson, Sims and Lawrence had 63 of Middle Tennessee’s 87 points.

Five players scored in double figures for a balance Murray State (7-1) squad. Sophomore guard Trae Hannibal scored 19 points off the bench to lead the Racers.

Jefferson scored the Blue Raiders’ first points for a 2-1 lead. His 3-pointer with 5:55 left in the opening half pulled Middle Tennessee within 32-29. Moments later, a pair of Jefferson free throws cut the Racer lead to 35-34. The Raiders were down 7 when Jefferson hit another 3-pointer to narrow the gap to 44-40.

Murray grabbed a 16-point lead at 66-50, but Jefferson’s 3 with 12:27 left got the Raiders within 66-53. With 6:47 to go, Jefferson’s layup cut the deficit to 74-65. A pair of Jefferson free throws with 5:30 left cut the Racers’ lead to 5 at 76-71, but that’s as close as Middle Tennessee got.

The Blue Raiders, who were minus-10 on the board and turned the ball over 17 times Saturday, will travel to Martin, Tenn., this coming Saturday for its second contest with UT Martin (3-6) in 10 days. Middle Tennessee beat the Skyhawks 73-61 on Dec. 1 at Murfreesboro.

Tip if scheduled for 9 p.m. and Jefferson and the Blue Raiders can be seen taking on UT Martin on ESPN Plus.