Murray State
Tennessee
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Racers Give Vols All They Can Handle, But Tennessee Pulls Out Win With Late Comeback
11/30/2005 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
First, the Racers were glad to finally see the floor at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. Murray State was here for the first time since a 2003 OVC Tournament semifinal loss in overtime to Austin Peay. The game with Tennessee marked a good chance for the Racers to see the floor where they hope to be part of the OVC semifinals in March. But it was also another chance to measure themselves against a team from a large conference.
After three straight trips with no points to start the game, the Racers scratched the scoreboard on Keith Jenifer's three pointer to tie the score at three two minutes and 45 seconds into the contest.
The game was played evenly for the first 12 minutes with the largest lead being a 28-23 Murray State advantage with 3:34 before the horn. Issian Redding's hoop with 1:17 before half gave the Racers a 30-26 lead. MSU had the ball with 3.1 before half but could not get a shot off and lead 32-26 at the break.
The Racers were happy in several stat categories in the first half; they led the rebound battle 23-22 and held Tennessee to 28 percent shooting from the field.
The Racers came up with an excellent defensive effort not only on the entire Vols lineup but especially on their vaunted guard tandem of C.J. Watson and Chris Lofton. At the break they were one-for-10 from the field for a combined three points. They were one-for-six from three point range. Pearson and Jenifer outscored Watson and Lofton 8-3.
Tyler Holloway was instrumental in the Racer first half effort. The freshman hit all four shots he took in the half including three 3-pointers.
Shawn Witherspoon, who was 0-2 from the field in the first half got his stroke going in the first eight minutes of the second half, hitting three of four shots, including two three-pointers to keep the Racers in the lead 42-40 with 11:23 remaining.
Redding's three with 11:03 left put the Racers ahead 45-42 after the Vols had tied it at 42-42.
The Vols took the lead for the first time since 5:57 in the first half on a fast break basket by Dane Bradshaw, 46-45 with 9:00 left.
In this back and forth affair, Redding hit a jumper for a 47-46 lead with 8:08 left, only to see Chris Lofton of Tennessee hit a three pointer for a 49-47 UT lead on the next trip down the floor.
The Racers had indeed defended Lofton well to this point. But the guard from Mason County, Ky., took over the game from that point forward. He scored three straight hoops for UT giving them a 56-48 advantage with 3:40 left. Lofton ended the game scoring 15 of his 18 points in the final 7:21.
The Racers shooting touch went cold as well in the final minutes. After Redding's jumper with 8:08 remaining, the Racers went more than six minutes without a field goal. MSU went from the 8:08 mark to the 2:06 mark without a field goal. Witherspoon broke the Racers scoreless stretch with a jumper.
From the 8:08 mark, UT finished the game on an 18-6 run for the 64-53 win.
The Racers were led by Redding's 14 points.
The Racers return to action Saturday when they play at Texas-San Antonio Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
