By GREG MENGELT

CANCUN, Mexico — Josh Jefferson scored a team-high 13 points and his Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders blew by Mercer, 82-58 Wednesday in the final round of the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.

Middle Tennessee went 2-1 on its trip to Mexico.

Jefferson, a New Albany graduate, was one of three Blue Raiders who scored 13 points. Sophomore guard Eli Lawrence and senior guard Donovan Sims also shared in the game-high honors.

Jefferson, a senior, was 5 for 11 from the field and connected on 3 of his 6 3-point attempts. He also had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal as Middle Tennessee improved to 5-1 on the season.

Middle Tennessee led from start to finish Wednesday, jumping out to a 34-16 lead following 5 straight points from Jefferson. After leading 38-27 at the break, the Blue Raiders broke the game open with an early second-half spurt. Jefferson’s second 3 made it 47-31 with 17:16 remaining. His final 3-pointer produced the final points of the game with 48 seconds left.

The Blue Raiders shot 55.4 percent from the field (31 for 56) and made nine of their 23 3-point attempts (39.1 percent). The Bears shot just 31.5 percent from the floor (17 of 54) and made just 6 of their 26 3-pointers (23.1 percent).

Middle Tennessee returns stateside to host Bryan College (Tenn.) at 3 p.m. Saturday. That game can be seen at ConferenceUSA.com.