ESPN Men's Basketball

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Neiko Hunter had a game-high 17 points and Marcos Knight added a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead Middle Tennessee past Arkansas State 73-60 Thursday night in a Sun Belt Conference game.

Knight, the only player for both teams with double figure rebounds, helped Middle Tennessee (21-4, 13-1) outrebound Arkansas State 37-31.

Spurred by Hunter off the bench, Middle Tennessee held a 34-26 advantage in bench points.

The Blue Raiders outscored the Red Wolves (14-9, 8-6) 44-20 in the paint.

Arkansas State shot just 30.4 percent (7 of 23) in the first half while Middle Tennessee shot 56 percent (14 of 25). The Blue Raiders led at halftime 34-21.

Middle Tennessee led wire to wire and led by as many as 31 points in the second half.

Cameron Golden had 15 points for the Arkansas State, which just snapped a three-game winning streak.