Men’s Basketball Wins Overtime Thriller Against Middle Tennessee, 89-88

Saturday, February 7

Newark, Del.

1 PM

University of Delaware

7-16,3-9CUSA

Middle Tennessee

11-12,5-7CUSA

OT 1

Middle Tenn.

Delaware

Photo by: Ethan Heddinger

Men’s Basketball Wins Overtime Thriller Against Middle Tennessee, 89-88

2/7/2026 3:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men's basketball team won an overtime thriller against Middle Tennessee Saturday afternoon, 89-88. The Fightin' Blue Hens advance to 7-16 overall and 3-9 CUSA, while the Blue Raiders dip to 11-12, 5-7 CUSA.

It's the first overtime win for UD since downing Northeastern in Boston on January 17, 2022, and first inside the Bob Carpenter Center since a double-overtime decision against La Salle on January 17, 2021.

HEN HIGHLIGHTS

UD tallied season-highs in points (89) and three pointers (14).
Delaware out shot MTSU with a season-best 54.9 field goal percent.
Justyn Fernandez tied his career-high 27 points and set a career mark with eight rebounds.
Christian Bliss neared a triple-double with 21 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
Using a career-high five triples, Alex Kazanecki scored 15 points.
Tyler Houser posted 13 points on a 5-of-10 afternoon from the field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The visitors open on a 9-2 run over 2:37 before UD rallied back to make it a 14-13 game with 13:52 left in the first half. The Hens took the lead for the first time after six-unanswered points culminated in a Bliss' triple from the corner to push it to 27-25 at the 8:32 timestamp. Delaware added another bucket to take a hold the advantage 29-25 at the under-eight media break. Middle Tennessee responded and took a 43-41 lead into the half as Kazanecki drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The second half was truly back-and-forth seeing nine lead changes over the opening 4:40 with the Blue & Gold ahead 52-51. With the Blue Raiders ahead 56-54, the Hens ripped off a 7-0 spurt over 1:10 move ahead 61-56. Heading into the under-eight media break with possession, UD lead 68-63 with 7:50 remaining. Delaware opened its largest lead of the game at 10 points at the under-four-minute stoppage with the Hens ahead 77-67 with 3:56 left. Seven-unanswered points from MTSU brought it back to a one-possession game prior to a Bliss layup with 1:50 on the clock. As the final second ticked off the clock, the game was tied at 79.
Both teams scored on their first two possessions of the extra period, with Fernandez hitting a triple on the second for UD to put the Hens ahead 84-83. On the subsequent possession, Middle Tennessee hit its own long ball before Bliss answered with another 3-pointer for UD. The Blue & Gold led 87-86 with Martin Ingelsby using a timeout with 2:16 left. The Hens held MTSU without a field goal for the final 2:31 to take the win.

UP NEXT
Delaware heads to FIU for a bout with the Panthers on Thursday, February 12 at 7 p.m.

TICKETS
Tickets for men's basketball are on sale now! All tickets can be purchased at BlueHens.com/bbtix.

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