By GREG MENGELT

DENTON, Texas — Former New Albany star Josh Jefferson scored a team-best 19 points, but his Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders lost 70-63 at defending Conference USA champion North Texas on Saturday at UNT Coliseum.

Jefferson, a Middle Tennessee senior, went 5 for 12 from the field, 3 for 6 from behind the 3-point arc and 6 of 7 at the foul line in the loss. He also had 2 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot for the Raiders, who are 9-6 overall and 0-2 in conference play following their third straight loss.

The Mean Green’s leading scorer, junior guard Tylor Perry, scored 25 points off the North Texas bench to lead all scorers. Perry was 9 for 9 from the charity stripe.

The Raiders will try to get back on track Thursday when they host Florida Atlantic (8-6) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. That game can be seen on ESPN Plus. The Owls won at Marshall 90-77 on Saturday.