Murfreesboro, TN -- (Sports Network) - Kevin Kanaskie scored 13 points to lead the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders to a 69-62 win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at the Murphy Center.

Montarrio Haddock added 12 points for the Blue Raiders (18-13), while Nigel Johnson and Desmond Yates chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the tournament's fifth seed.

The Red Wolves (13-17) were paced by Daniel Bryant who scored a game-high 18 points in a losing effort. Shawn Morgan and Donald Boone netted 10 points apiece for 12th-seeded ASU.

MTU got off to a fast start, shooting 45.8 percent from the floor in the first half, to take a 28-23 lead at the break.

The Blue Raiders kept the pressure on in the second stanza, knocking down 11- of-15 free throws, en route to a seven-point victory.

With the win the Blue Raiders advance to Sunday's quarterfinal round of the tournament where they will face off against fourth-seeded North Texas.