MSU Wins 17th Straight Home Opener 73-72 Over Belhaven

Thursday, November 16

Murray, Ky.

7:00 p.m.

Murray State

Belhaven

MSU Wins 17th Straight Home Opener 73-72 Over Belhaven

11/16/2006 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

The Murray State Racers held off a pesky team from Belhaven College Thursday 73-72 to push their home court winning streak to 12 straight and their string of home opening wins to 17 straight. It was also the Racers first win of the season after starting with three losses last weekend in California, and the first for new MSU head coach Billy Kennedy.

“Obviously we were very fortunate to win. We were real concerned about playing them after seeing the tape,” Kennedy said. “Give them credit ? they were very well-prepared and they did a good job tonight.”

With eight minutes left in the game, the Racers found themselves down by 11 points to a Belhaven squad that was playing with much confidence.

The Blazers had just pushed their advantage to its peak.

However the Racers found some magic and used the element of surprise to get back into the game.

MSU got five free throws from Rob Kennedy over three possessions to cut the lead to 67-61. The Racers then put on a full court press that clearly caught the Blazers off guard. MSU quickly caused two straight turnovers that Bruce Carter and a Rob Kennedy converted with short jumpers. Suddenly, the Racers were back in the game down 67-65 with 5:45 left: the MSU run was 9-0.

After Belhaven missed the front end of a one and one, Shawn Witherspoon tied the game at 67 with a runner down the lane with 3:36 left.

Belhaven's Dax Miller answered with a three pointer and the Blazers were back on top 70-67 with 3:17 left.

With 2:00 left, Witherspoon's blocked shot started a fast break that Carter finished for a 71-70 MSU lead. It was the first MSU advantage since leading 42-40 at the half.

Again, Belhaven answered to take a 72-71 lead on a basket by Bobby Johnson with 12 seconds remaining. Ed Horton took the inbounds pass and raced to the MSU basket where he was fouled. He calmly sank the first shot to tie the game at 72. MSU called a timeout. Horton sank the second free throw for a one point lead with 6.9 seconds left.

Only when Johnson missed a free throw line jumper at the buzzer did the Racers and their fans exhale.

The Racers had escaped with a 73-72 win.

For Rob Kennedy and Horton, they were just glad to get a win, any win and any way they could.

“To be 0-3, it's hard to start like that,” Kennedy said. “Tonight we had to show the fans there is some fight in us; we weren't going 0-4. This win brought us together.”

Horton said, “You live and learn from your mistakes. We have to use tonight to get better.”

Prior to starting the home opener, the Racers unveiled the 2006-07 Ohio Valley Conference banner the Racers earned last season. Witherspoon, Tyler Holloway, Kennedy and Jarad Key all current MSU players joined former stars Issian Redding and Chuck Johnson in the ceremony.

Then the Racers started the game with Belhaven and had their hands full.

Freshman Marvin Williams came off the bench and hit back to back shots; followed by a three-pointer from Holloway for a 22-11 lead. However, just when it looked like the Racers were ready to run away with the game, Belhaven dug in and made a game of it.

The Blazers put together an 11-4 run starting at the 7:44 mark of the half and to tie the contest at 32-32 when Jeff Sullivan hit a pair of free throws.

Horton scored twice in the final 35 seconds to give the Racers a 42-40 lead at the half.

The Racers ended the game shooting 46 percent from the field (28-60) compared to the 51 percent Belhaven managed (25-49). Belhaven made 15-17 from the free throw line, while the Racers struggled making only 10-18.

Carter led the Racers with 20 points on 8-15 shooting; he also dished out five assists. Horton tossed in 13 with four assists, while Holloway added 10. Witherspoon led the Racers with nine rebounds.

Billy Kennedy was very happy to playing in front of the MSU fans for the first time.

“I am so thankful we had our fans here,” Kennedy said. “Belhaven showed for the most part that they deserved to win, but our fans gave us the home-court advantage.”

The Racers now prepare for a Sunday afternoon game with Southern Illinois. Tip off at the SIU Arena in Carbondale is set for 2:05 p.m.

Game Notes:

The Racers 42-40 lead at the half was the first time in four games in which they enjoyed a lead.

MSU started its ninth season at the Regional Special Events Center tonight and still had not lost a home opener in the building. In fact, The Racers have won 17 straight home openers and haven't lost one since 1989. That loss came in Racer Arena to Southern Illinois 114-108 in triple overtime. MSU is 56-3 since 1948 in season openers.

The Racers home winning streak now goes to 12 straight, the 11^th best in the nation. MSU's last home loss came last season on Dec. 28 when they lost to SIU 57-53. This was the Racers 99^th all time win at the RSEC against only 15 losses.

It was a nice moment to celebrate the Racers 2005-06 Ohio Valley Conference championship before the game. The banner will hang from the rafters at the RSEC along with the other 19 championships MSU has earned over the years.

Shawn Witherspoon got a little closer to becoming the 33rd student-athlete to join the Murray State 1000-Point Club. His eight points against Belhaven means he is 193 points from the magic mark. This was Shawn's 35^th straight start and he has scored in 78 straight. The last time Shawn failed to score was Jan. 26, 2004 during his freshman season when the Racers dropped a game at Texas A&M CC.

The Racers and Salukis will be meeting for the 30^th time Sunday, with Murray State holding a 15-14 lead. The first meeting came in 1929. SIU has won five of the last six including 57-53 in Murray last season. MSU's last win came at home in 2003 by the score of 68-64. The Racers have not defeated SIU in Carbondale since an 83-77 win in 1990.

The MSU-SIU game will be televised in some cable areas. Mediacom will carry the game throughout all of its counties in southern Illinois and also in the Kentucky counties of Marshall, Calloway, Trigg, Christian, Todd and Hopkins. New Wave customers in Kentucky and Illinois will also be able to see the game.