Murray State University Athletics
.jpg&height=300&type=webp)
MSU Looks For Five Straight Wins At UT-Martin
1/18/2008 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State
(9-7) (5-3 OVC)
at
UT-Martin
(8-11) (4-5 OVC)
Sat. 6 p.m.
Elam Center
Martin, Tenn.
Click here for LIVE AUDIO
Click here for LIVE VIDEO
The Murray State Racers look for their fifth straight win Saturday when they travel to the Elam Center to face the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in a 6 p.m. tip. MSU's win streak began Jan. 5 with a 92-88 home over Tennessee State, followed by a Jan. 7 road win at Southeast Missouri 79-51. MSU returned home and defeated Austin Peay 82-70 on Jan. 10 and enjoyed a tune up win Tuesday at home over Indiana South Bend 80-62. MSU's last five-game winning streak occurred in the second half of the 2005-06 season.
It was at this point last season when the Racers began to dominate games defensively. MSU is doing the same thing if the last three OVC games are any indication. The Racers have held opponents to .363 from the field (62-171) during the three games and .279 (19-68) from the three-point line.
MSU has forced 47 turnovers for an average of 15.6 per game and their rebound lead is +9. The recent lock down "D" has pushed the Racers into first place in league games in field goal percentage defense (170- 417 .408) and three-point percentage defense (42 -133 .316).
Not only are the Racers leading the OVC in defense, they're also the top team in field goal percentage (215-432 .498), and three-point percentage (47-113 .416). It is still early in the league race, but even eight games into the schedule, it's worth noting how rare it is, to see a team lead a conference in field goal percentage and three-point percentage on offense and defense at the same time!
MSU's six-game winning streak at the Elam Center is currently their best against any OVC team (MSU has won five straight at SEMO). The last time the Racers didn't get a win at UT-Martin was Feb. 3, 2001 by an 80-73 score. MSU is 14-2 all-time at UTM.
GAME NOTES
A WIN MEANS:
The Racers are 10-7 overall (6-3 OVC) and have won five straight and have their longest win streak since Billy Kennedy began coaching here. Kennedy will be 26-21 at MSU. The Racers will be 32-2 all-time against UTM and have won the last 14 are and 15-2 at the Elam Center.A LOSS MEANS:
The Racers are 9-8 and have snapped a four game winning streak. The Racers are 5-4 in the OVC.UT-Martin gets their first win against MSU since 2001 and snap a 14-game losing streak against the Racers.HOLLOWAY AND THE THREE:
Take a look at the all-time three point shooters at Murray State and how Tyler Holloway ranks. At the moment he has hit 127-317 (.401).MSU CAREER MADE 3-POINT SHOTS
2. Don Mann 1986-89 204
3. Justin Burdine 1998-02 198
4. Marcus Brown 1993-96 173
Paul King 1987-91 173
7. Rick Jones 2002-04 133
8. Tyler Holloway 2005- 127
9. Antoine Whelchel 2000-04 124
10. William Moore 1994-95 123
11. Aaron Page 1996-00 107
12. Aubrey Reese 1997-00 105
MSU CAREER 3-POINT PERCENTAGE
2. Don Mann 1986-89 .421
3. Cedric Gumm 1990-94 .418
4. Chris Shumate 1999-04 .412
5. De'Teri Mayes 1996-98 .411
6. Terence Brooks 1987-89 .404
7. William Moore 1994-95 .403
8. Paul King 1987-91 .402
9. Tyler Holloway 2005- .401
10. Rick Jones 2002-04 .393
11. Justin Burdine 1998-02 .349
SENIOR STREAK:
Bruce Carter really picked up his game in the period from the the Belmont game (Dec. 30) through the Austin Peay game (Jan. 10). In this five game stretch Carter had five straight double-figure scoring games. His 26 points against APSU was two off his career best of 28 from last season against Eastern Illinois. He averaged 18.2 ppg. With his 22 against Southeast Missouri the Monday before the APSU game, Carter has scored 48 points in two games for an average of 24.0 ppg. Carter shot .647 (33-of-51) during the five games and .476 from three range (10-of-21).K.T. DOUBLE-DOUBLE:
Kevin Thomas had his first double-double at Murray State Jan. 10 in the Racers 82-70 win over Austin Peay. Thomas had 14 points and 10 assists, to become the first Racer to get a double-double with points and assists since 2003 when Adam Chiles did it against Southern Mississippi.CAREER NUMBERS:
Tyler Holloway is one his way to becoming the 34th member of the MSU 1,000-Point club. He has 666 points in 76 career games. He will play a a minimum of 13 games yet this season and another 29 when he is a senior in 2008-09, giving him an excellent chance to make it.Danero Thomas is only 44 games into his MSU career but has already scored 345 points.
Marvin Williams grabbed his 100th career rebound Dec. 20 at Samford.
Bruce Carter zoomed past the 500 career milestone at SEMO on Jan. 7.
Tony Easley has 32 career blocks and is on pace to break the MSU top-10. He needs to get to 87 which is Popeye Jones (1988-92).
Ray George passed 250 points in his career Jan. 15 against Indiana South Bend.
