MSU Moves to 3-1 With 81-67 Win Over ASU

Monday, November 26

Murray, Ky.

7:00 p.m.

Murray State

Arkansas State

11/26/2007 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Murray State pushed their record to 3-1 with an 81-67 home win over Arkansas State at the Regional Special Events Center. Junior Tyler Holloway led the way with 26 points.

The Racers came out of the gate and had their best start of the season.

Hitting three straight three pointers has a way of getting a team into the flow of the game. Danero Thomas hit a three for a 3-1 MSU lead, and later after Tony Easley dunked on a fast break, the Racers stole the inbounds pass and Holloway nailed another long shot for a 10-3 MSU lead only 3:57 into the contest.

The Racers were in front 20-6 when Danero Thomas hit a three pointer at the 12:00 mark.

The MSU lead grew to 20 points (30-10) when Marvin Williams hit a pair of free throws with 6:34 to go before the half.

After ASU cut the lead to 14, Holloway hit his third three pointer of the half for a 36-19 Murray State lead with 3:05 left.

The half ended with the Racers in front 40-22.

Adrian Banks, the leading scorer for Arkansas State was held scoreless in the opening half hampered by a finger injury, but he managed to get the Indians back in the game. His back-to-back three point shots cut the MSU lead to 62-52 with 7:02 left in the game.

The Arkansas State comeback continued when Ifeanyi Koggu hit a three and Ryan Wedel hit another after a MSU turnover to make it a 67-62 game with 3:35 remaining.

With the shot clock under 10 seconds, Holloway made an amazing dash for the hoop starting at mid-court and was fouled and made the shot. His three-point play put the Racers in front 70-62 with 3:03 left.

Wedel hit another three to make it a five point game with 2:51 remaining, but ASU never got any closer.

Holloway's 26 points was three off his career best of 29 scored last January at Tennessee State.

"If Tyler is open he makes shots,” MSU head coach Billy Kennedy said.

Holloway shunned the spot light preferring to deflect praise to his teammates.

"We stayed patient as a team and didn't settle for our first shot,” Holloway said. “Everybody contributed tonight. It doesn't matter if I get 0 or 30 points; I just try and help my team win. All the credit goes to my teammates for finding me and setting good screens."

Ray George added 15 points, while Danero Thomas added 13 and Marvin Williams 12.

Kevin Thomas had a career high six assists.

“I thought Kevin Thomas and Ray George did a good job of finding Tyler,” Kennedy added. “The thing I'm most proud of is how he (Tyler) is stepping up and being a leader.”

GAME NOTES

Holloway's 26 points included a career-best six three point baskets and nine total field goals. He now has 107 threes for his career and is tied for 10^th place on the MSU all-time list with Aaron Page (1996-00). William Moore (1994-95) is in 9^th place with 123. Frank Allen (1989-93) is MSU's all-time three leader with 251.

Holloway now has six career 20-point scoring games and has led the Racers in scoring 24 times.

The Racers now prepare for a Saturday game in Starkville against Mississippi State. The game tips at noon at Humphrey Coliseum. The Racers haven't played the Bulldogs since 1961 and trail the all-time series 6-2. The Racers won the first two meetings in 1941 and 1956.

Murray State is 8-20 all-time against teams from the Southeastern Conference. Their last win over an SEC team came on Christmas day 1997 when they defeated Arkansas 94-83 in Puerto Rico.

Billy Kennedy is now 1-1 against Arkansas State.