Murray State University Athletics
MSU Needs To Win Women's Game -- And Will
2/8/2008 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
When the Murray State women's basketball team meets with Morehead State on Saturday, only one thing is certain: MSU will win. We don't know yet which one, but both MSU's have something to fight for, with regard to the Ohio Valley Conference standings. Murray State needs a win to solidify its position among the top four teams, which host the first round of the OVC Championship Tournament in March. Morehead State needs a win to solidify its spot among the top eight, which qualify for the OVC Tournament.
Both teams are coming off of tight, disappointing losses. Murray State (15-7, 9-5 OVC) fell 79-76 at Eastern Kentucky on Thursday after being held to no baskets from three-point range in the second half. Morehead State (7-15, 5-8 OVC) lost 50-48 to visiting Southeast Missouri on Thursday after shooting just 36.2 percent (17-for-47) from the field and 35 percent (7-for-20) from inside the arc.
In their last meeting, on Dec. 8 in Murray, the Racers pushed out to an eight-point lead, 48-40, when Mallory Luckett hit a jumper with 9:48 left in regulation. The Eagles worked it back, outscoring Murray State 14-6 over the next 7:39 to tie the game at 54-54 with 2:09 left. Angela Brown hit a jumper with 1:09 left to give the Racers a 56-54 lead, and neither team scored over the last 69 seconds of the game, as Morehead State went 0-for-4, all from three-point range, while the Racers were 0-for-1 from the field in that time.
Expect to see another defensive battle on Saturday, when the teams tip off at 1 p.m. Central Time. The Eagles have four players averaging at least one three-pointer per game in Tarah Combs (3.1), Chynna Bozeman (2.1), Anitha Smith-Williams (1.2) and Brandi Rayburn (1.0), and throw up 24.4 three-point shots per contest. They also boast on of the top shot-blockers in the nation in Brittany Pittman, averaging 4.0 blocks a game.
The team that shoots best from the field should win the game. It could turn into a battle between Murray State's free throws and Morehead State's three-pointers. The better defense may decide the game. Only one thing is sure right now: MSU will win.
RACER GAME CENTRAL
Murray State Racers (15-7, 9-5 OVC) at Morehead State Eagles (7-15, 5-8 OVC)
Saturday, Feb. 9, 1:00 p.m. Central || Ellis T. Johnson Arena, Morehead, Ky.
GAME-DAY INFORMATION
Radio: WNBS (1340 AM / Josh Perigo)
Listen Live: www.GoRacers.com
Video Streaming: www.OVCsports.tv
UPDATED OVC STANDINGS (OVC / All)
Southeast Missouri (11-2 / 16-6)
Eastern Illinois (12-3 / 13-10)
Samford (10-3 / 17-6)
MURRAY STATE (9-5 / 15-7)
Eastern Kentucky (6-6 / 11-8)
Tennessee State (7-7 / 10-13)
Jacksonville State (7-8 / 10-14)
Morehead State (5-8 / 7-14)
Tennessee Tech (4-10 / 5-19)
Austin Peay (2-11 / 5-17)
UT Martin (2-12 / 5-19)
SATURDAY'S OVC GAMES (all times are Central Time)
MURRAY STATE at Morehead State, 1:00 p.m.
Southeast Missouri at Eastern Kentucky, 2:00 p.m.
Eastern Illinois at UT Martin, 4:00 p.m.
Samford at Austin Peay, 5:15 p.m.
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State, 5:30 p.m.
Jacksonville State is idle.
