Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Alabama-Birmingham
Racers run into Blazer buzzsaw, Hopkins scores 20 in 100-80 loss
1/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers ran into a buzzsaw at Alabama-Birmingham this afternoon, as the Blazers took advantage of 25 MSU fouls and 26 Racer turnovers en route to the 100-80 win over Murray State.
UAB (10-3) used a 16-3 run late in the first half to take a 44-31 lead at intermission, then pushed ahead further on the back of a 14-2 run early in the second period.
"I told my guys they had to pass the ball to win, but they continued to dribble," MSU head coach Mick Cronin said. "We didn't execute the game plan. We didn't pass the basketball. If you over-dribble, you're tailor-made when you play against UAB."
"I thought we came out and kept shooting the ball well, and our defense was a constant," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "In the first half, we knocked some free throws down, and in the second half, we really kicked it up. Our energy level was the best it has been all year long."
UAB was 25-for-31 from the free-throw line, compared to the 11-for-20 mark for Murray State (5-5). The Blazers had 39 points off of turnovers to the Racers' 16.
Murray State was led by Darnell Hopkins' game-high 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field. Shawn Witherspoon added 14 points and a co-game-high seven rebounds, while Trey Pearson added 10 points, a co-game-high four assists and a team-high three steals. Issian Redding grabbed a co-game-high seven rebounds, while Keith Jenifer handed out a co-game-high four assists.
UAB was paced by Ronell Taylor's 18 points off the bench. Donell Taylor added 17 points, while Paul Delaney put in 12 points and Marvett McDonald chipped in 11. Demario Eddins and Frank Holmes had a team-high six rebounds, while Carldell Johnson had team-highs with four assists and five steals.
Murray State opens its Ohio Valley Conference schedule at home on Thursday against Morehead State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
