NCAA Game Summary - Virginia Commonwealth at Middle Tennessee State

Murfreesboro, TN (Basketball News) - Steve Thomas posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in leading the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders to a 59-55 win over the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth in non-conference action from the Murphy Center.

Mike Dean added 11 points and five assists in the win for the Blue Raiders (9-4), their third in the last four outings.

VCU (4-6), which fell for the third time in as many chances, was paced by Nick George who put up a game-high 16 points, followed by Michael Doles who tallied 15 points and cleared four boards in the setback.

Despite shooting just 1-of-4 beyond the arc in the first half MTSU slipped out to a 30-29 edge at the break thanks to 11-of-15 shooting at the free-throw line.

In the second half the Raiders slumped to 4-of-12 at the charity stripe but made up for it with 47.8 percent accuracy from the floor in securing the four- point home win.

Middle Tennessee outscored the Rams 15-6 at the free-throw line and won the battle of the boards rather easily, 44-21, to help the squad overcome 20 turnovers on the afternoon.