MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Sam Houston couldn't slow down Middle Tennessee in a 66-38 loss Thursday at the Murphy Center. 

The Bearkats (8-9, 1-6 CUSA) struggled offensively, with nearly half their points coming from the free-throw line. Sam Houston tied its season high by shooting 78.9 percent from the stripe. 

The Blue Raiders held the Bearkats to just 14 points in the first half, marking Sam Houston's lowest-scoring half of the season. 

Sam Houston managed to limit Anastasiia Boldyreva, Middle Tennessee's 6-foot-7 center who averages 14.6 points per game, to just four points. 

Nyla Inmon led the Bearkats with 14 points, while Fanta Kone grabbed 10 rebounds. 

Sam Houston returns to action Saturday against Western Kentucky. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN+.