Middle Tennessee cruises over Ohio Valley, 77-60

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) Reggie Upshaw Jr. scored six of his team's first nine points, finishing with 17 as Middle Tennessee jumped away from Ohio Valley early en route to a 77-60 victory in the season opener for both teams on Friday night.

Marcus Tarrance added 11 points and Jaqawn Raymond nine points and nine rebounds for the Blue Raiders, who shot 43 percent from the field and owned a 46-34 edge in rebounds.

Division II Ohio Valley was whistled for 36 fouls and Middle Tennessee scored 25 points on 43 free-throw attempts.

Daryl Walker led the Fighting Scots with 16 points and Robert Smelser added 10.

A Smelser jumper pulled the Scots to 38-35 at halftime, but Middle Tennessee steadily pulled away after the break. A 3-pointer by David Sinickas and a layup by Arturs Vitins closed the gap to 49-45 with 14:16 left but OVU missed its next three shots.