Murray State
Morehead State
Racers dominate Morehead State, push to 2-0 to start OVC season
12/10/2005 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
After shooting 62 percent against EKU Thursday, the Racers were bound to cool off some, and they did at the outset against the Eagles. MSU was 3-for-11 from the field after playing 5:30 of the first half, but they quickly regained their shooting touch and hit 15 of 25 from the field the rest of the half.
With the game tied with 13:40 remaining in the first half, the Racers put together a 13-0 run. Issian Redding's putback three-point play gave the Racers an 11-8 lead. Pearson Grifith scored in the lane, followed by another Redding three-point play for a 15-8 lead.
By the time the run was over, the Racers had a 21-8 lead. Darnell Hopkins hit a rainbow 36-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Racers a 46-16 lead at the half.
If possible, the Racers' defense was better than their offense. They held the Eagles to 6-for-22 shooting from the field for 27 percent in the first half. Murray State finished the half shooting 50 percent, hitting 18 of 36 shots.
Redding just missed a double-double in the first half. He had eight points and nine rebounds.
The second half was more of the same for the Racers, as they continued to stymie Morehead State on the defensive end. The Racers outscored the Eagles 16-3 to start the second half to lead 62-19 with 12:05 remaining
While the Racers were running away with the score, they were also setting a torrid pace by blocking eight Morehead shots in the first half alone. With 12:05 left in the game, Trey Pearson's block gave the Racers 13 for the contest, surpassing the MSU record of 12 set in 2001 against Tennessee State. With 1:00 left in the game, Rob Kennedy's block gave the Racers 14 and tied the OVC record set by Southeast Missouri State against Morehead State in 1999.
Racer head coach Mick Cronin pumped his team up for these first two OVC games at home and the team responded.
"Obviously, the way we have won these last two games, I have been very impressed with our defense and rebounding," he said. "When you outrebound somebody by 25, you're going to win the game. We have a few guys who have more experience from last season, and that has showed.
"I'm really happy for Pearson Griffith. He got going offensively tonight. I'm also excited for Rob Kennedy, he got some quality minutes and gave us great production on both ends of the floor tonight."
Griffith was one of three MSU players who scored a double-double in the game. He had 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Issian Redding added 10 points and 10 rebounds and Kennedy scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Tyler Holloway scored 14 points on 4-for-7 shooting from three-point range.
The Racers now concentrate on final exams for the fall semester. Testing begins Monday and continues through Friday. The Racers hit the road for games at Jacksonville State and Samford on Dec. 19 and 21, respectively.
The next home action for the Racers is Dec. 28 against Southern Illinois. The game will be aired by ESPN-U at 9 p.m.
MSU Notes:
MSU was led in scoring by Tyler Holloway and Rob Kennedy, each with 14. The MSU bench scored outscored the Eagles 47-40.
The Racers doubled the Eagles on the boards in the first half 24-12. They won the overall rebound battle 56-31.
The victory for the Racers is their fifth straight over Morehead State. The last Eagle win over Murray State was in 2003 in Morehead.
The 52-point win for the Racers is their largest margin of victory since beating Colorado-Colorado Springs 109-44 (65 points) in Murray on Nov. 19, 2001, and equals the eighth-largest margin of victory in Racer history. It's their most lopsided win in OVC play ever.
It is the second time ever that Murray State has won by more than 50 points without scoring 100. The only other time was in the Racers' largest win ever, an 86-18 win over Fort Campbell on Nov. 26, 1946.
Mick Cronin is now 49-19 as the Racers coach, and 6-0 against Morehead State.
The Racers hit the 80-point mark for the third straight game. MSU is 31-1 under Cronin when they score 80 or more and 203-24 since 1990.
Murray State has won three straight at home in the Regional Special Events Center and are 86-15 now in the eighth season of hoops here.
The Racers are 2-0 in the OVC for the third straight season under Mick Cronin.
