MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - LaRon Dendy scored 23 points to lead hot-shooting Middle Tennessee over Arkansas-Little Rock 68-60 on Saturday.
The Blue Raiders (23-4, 12-1 Sun Belt Conference), who are 12th in the nation shooting 48.9 percent, hit 63.4 percent from the field (26 of 41) against Arkansas-Little Rock.
Dendy was 9 of 11 from the field, and Middle Tennessee made 14 of 20 shots in the first half.
The strong field goal shooting, helped Middle Tennessee overcome just 44.4 percent from the free-throw line (12 of 27), including just 4 of 14 by Dendy.
The Blue Raiders led 35-30 at halftime and, after the Trojans made it 35-32, scored six straight. Middle Tennessee wouldn't be threatened the rest of the way.
Marcos Knight added 13 points and Kerry Hammonds 10 for the Blue Raiders, who outscored the Trojans 24-10 in the paint.
Will Neighbour led the Trojans (12-14, 9-3) with 22 points.
