By GREG MENGELT

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Josh Jefferson and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders won their sixth straight game and moved 2 1/2 games ahead of second-place Western Kentucky in Conference USA’s East Division with a 77-59 blowout win over UTEP on Monday at the Murphy Center.

Jefferson, a senior guard, who has twice set his season high scoring total during the winning streak, finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in Monday’s victory. He went 6 for 10 from the field and 2 for 5 from behind the 3-point line.

Senior guard Donavan Sims went 7 for 10 from the field and was perfect in three attempts from deep and led the Blue Raiders with 17 points. Sophomore guard Camryn Weston finished with 12 points off the Middle Tennessee bench.

The win is the Raiders’ 20th of the season. They’re now 20-7 overall and 11-3 in Conference USA.

UTEP (16-11, 9-6) was led by junior guard Souley Boum, who had game highs of 24 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Jefferson and the Raiders can clinch one of Conference USA’s top seeds with a win Saturday at home against Western Kentucky (17-11, 9-6). That game will air on ESPN Plus.