Recap: Middle Tennessee vs. Louisiana

Hot Springs, AR (Sports Network) - Bruce Massey scored 15 points as the top- seed Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders routed the eighth-seed Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, 81-66, to move on in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Summit Arena.

Raymond Cintron added 12 points and James Gallman had 11 for Middle Tennessee (28-4) which takes on FIU in Sunday's semifinal round.

Alan-Michael Thompson scored 17 points, Elfrid Payton tacked on 15, Bryant Mbamalu added 14 and Shawn Long chipped in 10 for Louisiana (13-20).

In the first half the Blue Raiders shot 51.9 percent from the field to take a 39-33 lead into the break. The Ragin' Cajuns connected on 45.5 percent from the field.

After the break the Blue Raiders nailed 21-of-26 shots from the free-throw line and shot 45 percent from the field to pull away for the win.

Middle Tennessee had a 36-27 edge in rebounds while outscoring Louisiana, 17-10, in points off turnovers.