Murray State University Athletics
Lady Racers Open OVC Play At EKU
12/5/2006 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Murray State Lady Racers open their Ohio Valley Conference schedule at Eastern Kentucky. Tipoff is scheduled for Thursday at 4:30 p.m. CT.
Murray State (3-3) is coming off of a strong showing against Lipscomb, racing its way to an 81-53 win in the Regional Special Events Center on Monday, a game that gave the Lady Racers a boost of confidence going into its league opener.
"I was proud of our overall effort and energy," said MSU head coach Joi Felton after the game. "Our guards did an outstanding job rebounding the ball tonight. We were able to put some things together tonight, and we were successful.
"This game gave us a boost of confidence as we prepare to open our OVC season. We had three tough road games, and this kind of game gives us some extra confidence going into these OVC games on the road. Right now, we are focusing only on the upcoming game. Conference play is just starting, and every team has a clean slate. We are excited to get started, but we need to continue to do a good job rebounding. You've got to do well on the defensive rebounds if you want to win a championship."
Eastern Kentucky (3-5) is second in the OVC in scoring at 76.4 points per game and second in field-goal percentage at .432. Murray State is third in both categories with 69.8 points per game and a .418 field-goal percentage. The Lady Racers lead the league in scoring margin, outscoring their opponents by 7.8 points per game, while EKU leads the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.91).
"Eastern Kentucky provides us a tremendous challenge for us to open the OVC schedule, especially on the road," said MSU head coach Joi Felton. "Larry Joe Inman is a proven coach, so we will face a well-prepared and talented team. Eastern Kentucky is a strong offensive team, so we hope to match their intensity on the court and slow down the tempo."
Lady Racer fans can hear the game through WNBS (1340 AM, Murray) or through the live audio link at www.GoRacers.com. Live video will also be available through www.OVCsports.TV.
RANKINGS: Murray State leads the OVC in scoring margin (+7.8) and turnover margin (+3.17), and is second in the league in scoring defense (62.0 ppg) and three-point field-goal percentage (.366). The Lady Racers are third in the conference in scoring (69.8 ppg), field-goal percentage (.418), free-throw percentage (.748) and steals (10.33 spg).
Senior Joi Scott ranks sixth in the OVC in scoring (16.7 ppg), third in rebounding (9.5 rpg), second in offensive rebounds (3.83 orpg), third in defensive rebounds (5.67 drpg) and fifth in blocked shots (1.17 bspg). Sophomore Amber Guffey is tie for ninth in scoring (13.0 ppg), eighth in assists (3.33 apg), seventh in free-throw percentage (.826), seventh in three-point field-goal percentage (.407), sixth in three-pointers per game (1.83) and fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.11). Junior Shaleea Petty is tied for fourth with 2.33 steals per game, while freshman Jenny Petrie is tied for 10th with 2.00 steals per game.
Nationally, Murray State ranks 37th in fewest turnovers per game and 43rd in three-point field-goal percentage, while Scott ranks 74th in scoring and Guffey is 70th in three-point field-goal percentage.
