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Blue Hens Defeat Middle Tennessee State in OT Thriller
Delaware Hens rally to win close game against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at The Bob Carpenter Center
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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The Delaware Hens men's basketball team defeated the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in an overtime thriller, 78-75, on February 7, 2026 at The Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Delaware. The game was a close back-and-forth contest that went down to the wire before the Hens pulled out the victory in the extra period.
Why it matters
This win is an important conference victory for the Hens as they look to make a push for the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Raiders are a tough opponent, making this a quality win that could boost Delaware's resume. The close game also showcases the competitiveness of the Colonial Athletic Association, one of the more underrated mid-major conferences in college basketball.
The details
The Hens were led by strong performances from guard Christian Bliss, who hit a clutch three-pointer to send the game to overtime, and forward Macon Emory, who made several key plays down the stretch. Middle Tennessee was paced by forward Torey Alston, who had a team-high 18 points. The game featured 12 lead changes and was tied on 10 different occasions before Delaware pulled away in the extra session.
- The game was played on February 7, 2026 at The Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Delaware.
- The game went to overtime after the score was tied at the end of regulation.
The players
Christian Bliss
A guard for the Delaware Hens who hit a crucial three-pointer to send the game to overtime.
Macon Emory
A forward for the Delaware Hens who made several key plays down the stretch to help secure the victory.
Torey Alston
A forward for the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders who led his team with 18 points in the game.
Martin Ingelsby
The head coach of the Delaware Hens, who guided his team to the overtime win.
Nick McDevitt
The head coach of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, whose team came up just short in the close contest.
What they’re saying
“We knew it was going to be a tough battle against a quality Middle Tennessee team, but our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to pull out the win in overtime.”
— Martin Ingelsby, Head Coach, Delaware Hens (Delaware News Journal)
“It's a tough loss, but I'm proud of the way our team competed. We had our chances, but Delaware made the plays when it counted most.”
— Nick McDevitt, Head Coach, Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (Murfreesboro Daily News Journal)
What’s next
The Hens will look to build on this win as they continue their conference schedule, while the Blue Raiders will try to rebound in their next game.
The takeaway
This thrilling overtime victory showcases the parity and competitiveness of college basketball, especially in mid-major conferences like the CAA. The Hens demonstrated their resilience and ability to make winning plays, which could pay dividends as they push for a postseason berth.
