By GREG MENGELT

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Josh Jefferson struggled from the field Thursday but it didn’t stop his Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders from winning their seventh straight game, 74-65 over visiting Marshall at Murphy Center.

Jefferson, a senior from New Albany, scored in double figures for the 10th straight time despite going 2 for 12 from the field. The Raiders’ leading scorer at 15 points per game finished with 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and a couple fo steals.

Middle Tennessee (21-7, 12-3) clinched at least a share of the Conference USA West Division title. The Raiders lead Western Kentucky by three games atop the standings and face the Hilltoppers (17-11, 9-6) on Saturday with a chance to take the top seed in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament. Jefferson and the Raiders can be seen taking on Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. on ESPN Plus. It’s Middle Tennessee’s Senior Night.

On Thursday, the Blue Raiders trailed Marshall 27-24 at halftime before outscoring the Thundering Herd 50-38 in the second half. Sophomore guard Eli Lawrence led Middle Tennessee with 18 points, nine rebound and two steals and senior guard Donavan Sims went 11 for 11 at the free throw line and added 13 points.

Marshall junior guard Andrew Taylor led all scorers with 24 points, but the Raiders held Thundering Herd star Taevion Kinsey to just 10 points on 4 of 14 shooting. In fact, Kinsey, who averages 19 pointes per game, had more turnovers (5) than field goals (4).