By GREG MENGELT

MIAMI, Fla. — Three days ahead of its showdown with Florida Atlantic for first place in the Conference USA East Division, Josh Jefferson and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders took care of business with a 71-65 victory over Florida International at Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Thursday.

On the heels of a 30-point outing in a 78-63 win over Charlotte on Sunday, Jefferson had a team-best 15 points on 5 of 13 shooting in Thursday’s triumph. The New Albany graduate made a pair of 3-pointers on nine attempts and finished with four assists, three steals and a pair of rebounds in the victory, which is Middle Tennessee’s fourth straight and ninth win in its last 10 games.

Middle Tennessee led 37-33 at halftime when Jefferson knocked down a 3 with 8 seconds left. The Panthers cut the deficit to 48-47 with 12:42 to go, but the Raiders responded with a 10-0 run, which capped by a Jefferson layup with 6:43 remaining.

Sophomore guard Eli Lawrence added 14 points and junior forward Deandre Dishman had nine points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Raiders, who improve to 18-7 overall and 9-3 in conference play. Middle Tennessee now leads Florida Atlantic by a game and a half atop the East Division after the Owls (15-10, 8-4) dropped a 54-51 decision at West-leading North Texas on Thursday. The Raiders and Owls meet Saturday at 4 p.m.

Florida International junior guard Tevin Brewer led all scorers with 17 points. The Panthers are 14-12 overall, 4-9 in Conference USA and have lost five of their last seven games.