Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
VASDA (Exhibition)
Racers shake off opening-night jitters with 100-83 victory over VASDA USA
11/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State put seven players in double figures and opened its 2004-05 basketball season with a 100-83 win over VASDA USA. It was the first of two exhibition games the Racers will play before opening the regular season at home on Nov. 20 against SIU-Edwardsville.
After sitting out last season, junior center Pearson Griffith scored 15 points to lead the Racers. He also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds in his MSU debut. Keith Jenifer and Adam Chiles each scored 14. Charles Johnson scored 13 and Shane Dansby 11, while Justin Orr and Reggie Jackson added 10 each.
The game saw the return of two former Racers who just last spring led the Racers to the NCAA Tournament. Chris Shumate and Antione Whelchel came back to give the Racers a good game and they did just that. Whelchel scored a game-high 27 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range, and Shumate scored six. Each received a warm welcome from the Racer fans when introduced.
According to head coach Mick Cronin, the Racers had opening-game jitters.
"We had some nervous guys out there tonight, but once they settled down, I thought we did some good things," he said.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with VASDA holding a seven-point lead, 14-7, after two Whelchel free throws with 16:07 left.
The Racers used a 12-2 run to take a 42-36 lead with 1:22 remaining in the half on a three-pointer by Jenifer.
The Racers enjoyed a 44-29 lead at the half, but Cronin was unhappy with the Racers' rebounding, The Racers had a 27-25 advantage on the boards at the break.
"I looked and saw Pearson Griffith only had four rebounds at the half and I told him to get going," Cronin said. "He finished with 13."
The Racers out-rebounded VASDA 30-17 in the second half. That certainly helped push them ahead.
The game saw the Racers pull away for good as VASDA tired from their lack of players with an eight-man roster. MSU put together a 9-0 run and pulled in front 80-64 with 5:30 left.
In the end it, was curiosity that made the usual, ordinary exhibition game interesting. With 12 new faces, even Cronin was playing it by ear.
"I didn't decide on a starting five until we were finished with warm-ups," Cronin said. "Our unselfishness was there, and we played hard. We'll come along as the season progresses, but this was a good first test for us."
Next up for the Racers is the final exhibition game on Thursday, Nov. 11, at the RSEC against Christian Brothers, an NCAA Division II program from Memphis. Game time is 7:15 p.m.
"Christian Brothers is a D-2 powerhouse," Cronin said. "They were ranked in the top 10 last season, and will come in here ready to battle. They'll be well coached, switch defenses and have more depth that what we played tonight."
Trey Pearson and Shawn Witherspoon were absent from the Racers' lineup as they nurse injuries. Pearson is pain-free from a hip injury, but Cronin said he'll likely hold him out a few more days. Witherspoon suffered a broken finger three weeks ago. Cronin said both will be ready for the Racers' regular-season opener on Nov. 20 at home against SIU-Edwardsville.
