Murray State University Athletics
Racers to battle SEMO for spot in OVC Tournament semifinals
2/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Less than a week ago, on Feb. 24, the Murray State Racers and the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks went to battle in Cape Girardeau, Mo., with the Racers prevailing in a 61-57 win that clinched the Racers hosting a first-round home tournament game. On Feb. 5 in Murray, the Redhawks, then on a four-game winning streak, defeated Murray 61-58. Now, these two teams will battle one last time this season on Tuesday, a rubber game of sorts to determine who advances to the semifinals of the O'Reilly Ohio Calley Conference Tournament. Tipoff time at the Regional Special Events Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
"I'm really happy with the way we ended the season," Racer head coach Mick Cronin said. "We won five of our last six, including the last three on the road. I'm proud of the way the guys stepped up late in the season. I'm excited about the way we're playing heading into the conference tournament. One thing I've learned is that every game is competitive in a mid-major conference tournament, because everything is on the line."
In the Feb. 5 game in Murray, the Racers (17-10, 11-5 OVC) could not hold a 34-30 halftime lead, allowing Southeast Missouri to shoot 52.0 percent (13-for-25) from the floor in the second half in the 61-58 loss. Keith Jenifer scored 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and handed out a game-high five assists for the Racers, while Issian Redding came off the bench to score 10 points for the Racers.
The Redhawks (14-13, 9-7 OVC) had four players in double figures, led by Terrick Willoughby's 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. Reggie Golson scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out four assists, while Dainmon Gonner scored 12 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Derek Winans scored 10 points as well for the Redhawks.
In the Feb. 24 game, Redding came off the bench to score 14 points to lead the Racers to a 61-57 win. Shawn Witherspoon scored nine points and grabbed a co-game-high six rebounds for the Racers. Gonner led the Redhawks with 15 points and six rebounds, while Willoughby had 12 points and Golson added 11 points and six rebounds. Derek Winans had six points, six rebounds and four assists in a losing effort.
"It's ironic that it is so tough to win on the road, but in both of our games against SEMO, the road team has won," Cronin said. "SEMO is a formidable opponent. We have to play well to win. We've got to create turnovers and make them play our style. We have to make the bench play and fatigue a factor as well, like it was at their place. Our strength is that we are so deep, but their starting five is probably the best in the league."
The Redhawks are led by their two post players, Golson and Gonner, who rank in the top 10 in the OVC in several statistical categories. Gonner leads the league in scoring (20.7 points per game) and steals (3.13 per game), and ranks seventh in field-goal percentage (118-for-245, 48.2 percent) and eighth in rebounding (6.4 a game). Golson leads the league in blocked shots (2.69 per game), ranks sixth in scoring (17.1 points per game), is third in rebounding (8.3 per game) and is fourth in field-goal percentage (105-for-197, 53.3 percent). Willoughby also averages 12.1 points per conference game, and is ranked sixth in the OVC in three-point field-goal percentage at 42.3 percent (30-for-71). Paul Paradoski ranks first in the OVC in assist-to-turnover ratio, averaging 2.80 assists per turnover. Winans also averages 10.9 points per conference game for the Redhawks.
For the Racers, Pearson leads the team in scoring with 15.0 points per game. Witherspoon averages 10.2 points and a team-high 5.3 rebounds a game. Darnell Hopkins averages 9.6 points a game, while Redding and Jenifer average 8.7 and 8.4 points per game, respectively. Pearson ranks second in the OVC in three-point field-goal percentage, converting on 46.4 percent of his attempts (45-for-97). Jenifer is third in the OVC in assists, handing out 3.88 a game, while both Pearson (2nd, 2.12) and Jenifer (4th, 1.77) rank in the top five in the OVC in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Murray State holds the series lead at 39-16, with the Racers holding the 19-7 advantage at games played in Murray.
