By GREG MENGELT

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Josh Jefferson continued his hot shooting and helped lead Middle Tennessee to an 87-79 win at Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

Jefferson, who’s the Blue Raiders leading scorer at 14.6 points per game, went 7 for 11 from the field and finished with a game-high 26 points. He made three of his four 3-point attempts and was 9 for 14 at the free throw line. He also had three rebounds and two assists as Middle Tennessee improved to 19-7 overall and 10-3 in Conference USA.

The Raiders, who’ve won six straight, are now two games ahead of second-place Western Kentucky (17-11, 9-6) in the East division of Conference USA. Jefferson, a senior, has scored in double figures in those six games. He’s averaging almost 21 points per game during that stretch.

Sophomore guard Eli Lawrence and junior Deandre Dishman scored 14 apiece for Middle Tennessee. Florida Atlantic (15-12, 8-6) was led by freshman guard Alijah Martin, who finished with 22 points and six rebounds.

Jefferson and the Raiders host Marshall (10-17, 3-11) and star guard Taevion Kinsey on Thursday. Tipoff is schedule for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN Plus.