Part 3/7:
As the game progressed, Chaz Lanier from Middle Tennessee emerged as a key player, hitting multiple three-pointers that kept his team in contention. Tennessee's defense, which had so far suffocated their opponents, was occasionally caught off-guard, allowing the Blue Raiders to take advantage of open shots.
As the first half unfolded, Tennessee's Ziegler continued to draw fouls and find ways to score, displaying his athleticism and skill. However, the Blue Raiders kept pace, leaning on their strong physiques and offensive execution to prevent Tennessee from extracting a significant lead.