Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
South Florida
MSU Second Half Surge Falls Short in 73-64 Loss To South Florida
12/20/2008 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers dropped a 73-64 decision to the
MSU falls to 5-4 having lost three straight after winning four straight games.
“We played a team that we didn't match up with very well,” MSU Head Coach Billy Kennedy said. “We practiced all week and prepared for USF, that's where your upperclassmen have to step up and play better and be better leaders on the floor.”
“We had opportunities and didn't capitalize on them,” Kennedy added. “USF played really well and did some good things with their zone defense.”
The Racer took their first lead with 15:01 left in the half on a pair of free throws from Isacc Miles to go in front 13-12.
At the 4:50 mark of the first half, Tony Easley scored a three-point play and the game was tied at 27, but the racers failed to score another field goal the rest of the half.
USF took advantage and finished the half on an 8-1 run for a 35-28 lead at the intermission.
MSU started the second half with four straight free throws from Jeffery McClain and Miles to make it a three point game at 35-32.
The Racers shooting woes continued in the second half after shooting only 34 precent in the first half. MSU started the second half hitting only 4-of-11 from the field and fell behind the Bulls 54-43 with 11:54 remaining.
USF pushed their lead to 59-47 with 7:48 left on a three-point play by Eladio Espinosa, but MSU made a run shortly after.
Donte Poole's baseline drive drew the Racers to eight at 64-56 with 3:57 left and could not get any closer in the 73-64 final.
Danero Thomas and Tyler Holloway led the Racers in scoring with 16 and 11 points. Thomas was 6-of-9 from the field while Holloway was 4-of-10.
The Racers couldn't slow down the Big East Conference foe with USF shooting 52 percent from the field for the game on 24-of-46 shooting, while MSU struggled to 38 percent on 19-of-49 shooting.
MSU was 2-of-13 from three-point range for 15 percent, while USF was 6-of-17 for 35 percent.
USF won the battle of the boards leading the rebounding category 36-29.
The Racers return to Morales Coliseum Sunday with a 2 p.m. central time contest against Oral Roberts. MSU finishes play at the San Juan Shootout Monday with a 2 p.m. game against
“ORU's schedule has been very difficult so it's hard to get a read on them,” Kennedy said. “They were in the games against
