Murray State University Athletics
Women's Basketball Hosts JSU
2/1/2008 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Murray State women's basketball team's next opponent, Jacksonville State, may have been picked to finish last in this year's Ohio Valley Conference pre-season poll, but the Gamecocks are showing themselves to be much improved, and while the Racers are happy to play at home, they need only to look at JSU's last game to see how much of a challenge awaits them on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the Regional Special Events Center.
With JSU's Eren McMichael -- averaging 11.5 points per game and shooting 84 percent from the line -- sidelined by injury, Jacksonville State battled OVC leader Eastern Illinois through two overtimes on Thursday before EIU was able to push to the 83-81 double-overtime win. The Gamecocks also have road wins over third-place Samford and Austin Peay and are 6-7 in conference play, a far cry from last year's OVC finish, tied for last place.
"I think that Jacksonville State poses some problems," said MSU head coach Jody Adams. "They're athletic. They play with abandon. They're going to get out in the passing lanes and pressure you. They're a fearless team. They're going to get second shots, and part of their second shot is their best shot. They're going to be a team that has a lot of fight and a lot of hunger to them. They're fighting to get in among those top four teams. We play them at home, and that should be a home-court advantage, but right now, we're trying to make adjustments mentally."
In the last meeting at Jacksonville State on Dec. 18, MSU's Amber Guffey had a game-high 25 points, bolstered by a school-record 18 free throws, going 18-for-19 from the line. Ashley Hayes put in 21 points, and Shaleea Petty had 16 points, six assists and four steals. JSU was led by Cierra Duhart's 23 points and 14 rebounds, while McMichael had 12 points. Despite Guffey's success at the line, JSU kept the game close, as the Racers left with the 83-76 win, having out-rebounded MSU 43-23, holding the Racers to six offensive boards. The Gamecocks had 44 points in the paint and 18 second-chance points off of 18 offensive rebounds, but committed 27 turnovers, allowing Murray State 36 points off of turnovers.
Murray State (14-6, 8-4 OVC) is coming off of a solid 78-57 win at Austin Peay that featured 14 steals and 42 rebounds for the Racers. While top scorers Guffey and Hayes were slow coming out of the gate, seniors Petty and Alaina Lee picked things up. Petty had game-highs with 17 points, five assists and five steals, while Lee had 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field to go with a season-high eight rebounds.
Against Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Jacksonville State (9-13, 6-7 OVC) was led by Jolie Efezokhae, who had 17 points to go with eight rebounds. Duhart had 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Danielle Beneby had 10 points and five assists. Cassi Stuart played for 47 minutes in the game, claiming nine points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Following Saturday's game, Murray State hits the road for three straight games, beginning with the annual Eastern Kentucky-Morehead State trek next week.
RACER GAME CENTRAL
Jacksonville State Gamecocks (9-13, 6-7 OVC) at Murray State Racers (14-6, 8-4 OVC)
Saturday, Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m. || Regional Special Events Center
GAME-DAY INFORMATION
Radio: WNBS (1340 AM / Josh Perigo)
Listen Live: www.GoRacers.com
Live Stats (GameWatcher): www.GoRacers.com
Video Streaming: www.OVCsports.tv
Game Notes: Click Here
Series History: Begun with a 70-55 Murray State win at the UAB Tournament on Dec. 9, 1995, the series has seen the Racers take a 6-3 lead on the strength of its current three-game win streak. Average scoring in the series is MSU 82.0, JSU 70.9. In Murray, the Gamecocks have a 2-1 advantage, with the Racers winning the last meeting in the RSEC. Average scoring in the series in Murray is MSU 82.0, JSU 71.0.
The Coaches: MSU head coach Jody Adams is 1-0 against Jacksonville State in her first year at the helm of the Racers, and this is her first meeting against JSU in Murray. Jacksonville State head coach Becky Geyer is 0-3 against Murray State, 0-1 against the Racers in Murray in her second season at JSU, her 15th season overall.
Next Up For The Racers: Murray State opens a three-game road swing at Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 4:30 Central Time..
UPDATED STANDINGS (OVC / All)
Eastern Illinois (11-2 / 12-9)
Southeast Missouri (9-2 / 14-6)
Samford (9-3 / 16-6)
MURRAY STATE (8-4 / 14-6)
Eastern Kentucky (5-5 / 10-7)
Tennessee State (6-6 / 9-12)
Jacksonville State (6-7 / 9-13)
Morehead State (5-7 / 7-13)
Tennessee Tech (3-9 / 4-18)
Austin Peay (2-9 / 5-15)
UT Martin (1-11 / 4-18)
SATURDAY'S OVC GAMES (All times Central)
Jacksonville State at MURRAY STATE, 5:30 p.m.
UT Martin at Southeast Missouri, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN-U)
Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee Tech, 3:00 p.m.
Eastern Illinois at Samford, 4:00 p.m.
Tennessee State at Austin Peay, 5:15 p.m.
