Murray State University Athletics
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MSU Lets Second Half Lead Slip In 55-47 Loss At ASU
11/19/2008 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers let a second half lead slip away in a 55-47 loss at
Three days before country music legend Willie Nelson performs at the ASU arena on Friday night, the Racers played their own version of “On the road again.”
And they set the tone of the game on the defensive end when they held the Red Wolves to zero points in their first five possessions.
The Racers used five straight points from Danero Thomas to take an 11-3 lead at the 14:20 mark of the half.
With 4:55 before the half, the Racers took their largest lead of the half at 24-14 when Danero Thomas made a block and Tony Easley found Kevin Thomas for an easy basket.
After ASU cut the lead to five, Danero Thomas posted up and hit a short jumper for a 26-19 MSU lead with 2:05 before half.
But ASU closed the gap to 26-23 before Kevin Thomas fed Ivan Aska for a lay up just before the buzzer sounded and the Racers had a 28-23 lead at the half.
In the second half, MSU had a seven point lead with 14:33 left when Danero Thomas made a baseline drive for a 36-29 lead, but it wasn't long before the Racers began to struggle on offense.
ASU cut the MSU lead to one with 11:50 remaining, before the two began to trade baskets.
Aska got loose for a dunk for a 40-39 MSU lead with 8:25 left, but ASU answered with a bucket by Shawn Morgan for a one point lead at 41-40 with 8:00 to go.
ASU hit three of four free throws in two trips to lead 46-41 with 4:46 remaining.
When ASU's Morgan score inside with 3:12 left, the Racers were behind 49-43 and the Red Wolves run was 10-3 over a 5:13 minute stretch after MSU had a one point lead with 8:25 left.
Donald Boone scored on a put-back with 1:51 left and the Racers were down 51-45, but got a tip in by Aska with 1:21 left cut the lead back to four.
The Racers were down by eight at 55-47 when ASU scored on a long run-out pass on an inbounds play and got two free throws with 59 seconds left.
MSU was outscored 16-7 in the final 8:25 of the game after having their last lead at 40-39.
Danero Thomas led the Racers with 16 points, with Aska adding 13.
The Racers were hot from the field in the opening half hitting 48 percent (12-25), but went cold in the second half shooting 26 percent (7-26). ASU was cold in the first half shooting 26 percent (7-26), but rebounded with 47 percent (10-21).
The Racers lost the rebounding battled 37-28.
MSU returns home Saturday to host the 146th meeting with Western Kentucky at the
