Racer Defense Shines In 85-67 Victory At SEMO

Saturday, January 27

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

7:30 p.m.

Murray State

Southeast Missouri State

1/27/2007 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

The Murray State Racers scored their fourth straight win in the Show Me Center Saturday in an 85-67 triumph over Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The win pushed the Racers to 7-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference and
9-11 overall.

The Racers jumped out in front by ten with some nifty defense.

Ed Horton picked off a SEMO pass and fed Shawn Witherspoon for an easy basket, seconds later Witherspoon slipped in for another lay up on an inbounds pass and the Racers had a 14-4 lead with 13:37 in the half.

The Racers played some great defense at the start in holding the Redhawks to 2-7 from the field; however both baskets were three-pointers.

After Southeast cut the lead to eight, MSU pushed it back to 12 with some help from freshman Tony Easley. It was his three-point play on a fast break that put the Racers in front 29-17 with 6:44 to go.

Southeast cut the lead to eight with 4:41 left on a three from Terrick Willoughby; it was their last field goal of the half.

MSU got a three-pointer from Danero Thomas with 3:12 left for a 36-28 lead. Witherspoon scored on a put back with a minute left to finish the scoring as MSU went into the half ahead 38-28.

The Racers held Southeast to 6-27 from the field in the half for 22 percent, the Racers were 18-32 for 56 percent. SEMO stayed in the game thanks to getting to free throw line 19 times where they hit 13 for 68 percent.

Witherspoon was the Racers only double-figure scorer in the half with a season-best 14 on 7-9 shooting.

The Racers held their own on the boards and were tied with the Redhawks at the break 20-20.

MSU pushed ahead to a 14-point lead in opening the second half when Thomas hit two free throws. SEMO Head Coach Scott Edgar was called for a technical foul, Carter made one of two from the line and the Racers were ahead 50-36 with 15:09 left.

MSU had a 20-point advantage with 12:11 left when Thomas made a steal and fed Easley for a slam, it was 60-40 MSU in front.

With 11:10 left Dwayne Paul and Roderick Pearson became tangled up after a rebound and scuffled momentarily. Both were assessed a technical foul. George was also called for a technical. When the smoke cleared, Willoughby missed both free throws, and Pearson made both of his on the original fouled that was called on Paul, it was 62-42 MSU in the lead.

The Racers went ahead by 23 with 9:21 left when Thomas hit a three from the corner, after the Racers had grabbed two offensive rebounds.

SEMO cut the MSU lead to 13 with 1:41 left, but never got any closer.

The Racers were led by Carter and Thomas with 16 each, George added 15 to go along with five steals and Witherspoon scored 14 and was one rebound shy of a double-double.

MSU's defensive effort was outstanding in holding SEMO to 27 percent shooting (16-59) while MSU shot 56 percent (32-57)

GAME NOTES

When the Racers and Redhawks played their wild game at Murray Jan. 8, most people thought it would be hard to top it for its physical play. In that opening game, the two teams combined for 59 fouls and 90 free throws. There were also four technical fouls and three flagrant fouls called. Tonight there were 51 total fouls accounting for 72 free throws. The second meeting had five technical fouls called, three on SEMO and two on MSU.

The Racers win means they have never been swept in a season series by SEMO since the Redhawks joined the OVC in the 1991-92 series. The Racers have won four straight in the Show Me Center and haven't lost in the building since 2003. MSU leads the all-time series 41-16.

Guard Tyler Holloway missed the game after suffering from the flu this week. He should be ready to play Monday when the Racers play at Samford.