GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman - Middle Tennessee (4-3) dropped the finale of the Cayman Islands Classic on Tuesday afternoon, falling 72-62 to McNeese at John Gray Gymnasium.

The Blue Raiders controlled much of the first half, stringing together key scoring runs, including a 9-0 burst over four minutes to build a 20-9 lead. Kamari Lands found his rhythm early, knocking down three 3-pointers and contributing 12 of MTSU's 34 first-half points.

Jahvin Carter delivered a strong showing in his first collegiate start, hitting a pair of threes and finishing the opening half with eight points. Defensively, Middle Tennessee stifled one of the nation's top offenses in the first 20 minutes, holding the Cowboys to 32.1 percent shooting from the field and just 23 percent from beyond the arc. McNeese, which entered averaging 96.5 points per game, managed only 28 before halftime, its lowest scoring half of the season.

Lands stayed hot to start the second half, drilling two more threes in the first three minutes to reach 18 points. But McNeese responded with a decisive scoring run, overtaking the Raiders and pulling away to secure the victory.

By the Numbers
28: Points by McNeese in the first half, its lowest scoring half this season.
1: Carter's first collegiate start.
5: Made threes by Lands, who scored a team-high 18 points.

Up Next
Middle Tennessee returns home to face the UAB Blazers on Monday, Dec. 1 at Murphy Center.