Murray State
Tennessee State
The Racers Lose Late Lead In 75-70 Downer At TSU
2/14/2008 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers suffered a second half collapse after leading by 13 points in a heartbreaking 75-70 loss at
MSU fell behind early 11-6 but came back to take their first lead of the game at 13-11 with 15:06 left in the half.
Bruce Carter hit a three-pointer, followed by a Tyler Holloway basket and a steal and easy two from Ray George for a 22-13 lead with 11:50 left. The MSU run was 16-2 over a 5:21 period of time.
After TSU cut the Racer lead to one, the Racers pushed their lead back to eight at 35-27 on a fast break finish by Danero Thomas with 2:41 left.
The half ended with the Racers in front 37-35.
Tennessee State rallied for a one point lead early in the second half, but the Racers came back with a 7-0 run finished by Kevin Thomas with a three-pointer for a 46-41 MSU lead with 15:34 left.
George hit back to back three-pointers and fed Tony Easley for an easy two on a fast break for a 64-54 lead, the largest of the night for MSU with 8:20 left. Moments later, MSU scored again for a 69-56 lead with 6:40 left.
At this point, the game began to unravel for the Racers.
TSU put together its own run and cut the MSU lead to 69-66 with 4:43 remaining.
When Andrae Belton hit a three with 3:39 left, the game was tied at 69-69.
Easley was fouled with 3:01 left and went to the free throw line where he hit one for a 70-69 MSU lead, which turned out to be their last lead of the game.
With the game tied again at 70-70, Kevin Thomas was stripped of the ball in the front court and TSU made a steal and called timeout with 1:32 remaining. TSU's Bruce Price hit two free throws for a 72-70 lead for the Tigers lead with 1:23 left.
The Racers suffered a turnover that led to another Belton three-pointer for a 75-70 lead, MSU missed with 7.3 left and TSU ran out the clock for the win.
Carter and George paced the Racers with 13 points each, Danero Thomas added 11.
The Racers return to the
