Middle Tennessee defeats Akron 80-73

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- Shawn Jones had 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead Middle Tennessee to an 80-73 win Saturday over Akron.

Middle Tennessee (3-0) extends its home winning streak to 32 games.

The Blue Raiders took the lead 44-43 with 15:31 remaining and led the rest of the game. Akron (1-2) kept within 2 to 3 points for most of the second before Kerry Hammonds II hit a 3-pointer to stretch the Blue Raiders' lead to 60-55 with 7:10 remaining. Middle Tennessee would lead by as much as 10 points in the second half.

Hammonds was 6 of 8 for 17 points, including three 3-pointers. Jaqawn Raymond also hit three 3-pointers to go with his 17 points.

Quincy Diggs had 25 points and Pat Forsyth added 11 as the only Akron players to score in double figures.