Murray State University Athletics
OVC Semi-Final Preview - Racers vs Tigers
3/6/2008 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
OVC Tournament
Semi-Final
(2) Murray State
(18-12)
vs
(6) Tennessee State
(14-18)
Friday 8 p.m.
ESPNU
Municipal Auditorium
Nashville, Tenn.
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The Murray State Racers hope to continue their second-season magic Friday when they take on the Tennessee State Tigers in the semi-finals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at 8 p.m. inside the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The Racers punched their ticket to the next round Tuesday night when they scored two drive and dish baskets in the final 47 seconds to defeat Tennessee Tech 77-74 at the Regional Special Events Center in Murray, Ky. MSU senior Bruce Carter played like an all-conference performer does when he pumped in 24 points and hauled in 12 rebounds in 36 iron-man minutes. Carter attempted 20 field goals, and is the first Racer to do this since Cuthbert Victor and Justin Burdine each had 20 attempts in MSU's NCAA game against Georgia in 2002. Carter has carried the Racers down the stretch and enters this game with 20 straight double-figure scoring games including eight games of 20 or more points during the period.
The Racers have fashioned the most impressive post-season record in the OVC and are shooting for their 14th tournament title and trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Racers enter the game with 56 tournament wins, the next best is Eastern Kentucky's 34. Starting in 1988, MSU has made it to the championship game in 15 of 20 tries and have won the title 11 times during this period. The Racers and Tigers have never met in the semi-finals but have met three times in the championship game with MSU winning 1998, and TSU taking the games in 1993 and 1994. Overall, MSU is 5-2 against TSU in the tournament and have won four straight.
Semi-finals in a nutshell
1 Austin Peay vs 4 UT-Martin 6pm (ESPNU) APSU has won the tournament three times and defeated Eastern Kentucky in impressive fashion in the first round 76-51. The Skyhawks hosted an OVC Tourney game for the first time Tuesday and are in the semi-finals for the first time, after prevailing in triple-overtime 101-94 over Samford.
2 Murray State vs 6 Tennessee State 8pm ESPNU
MSU defeated TTU in the first round 77-74 marking the 12th straight year MSU has hosted a first round game. MSU is the only school to bring two teams to Nashville for the semi-finals. TSU was the only team to win on the road in the quarters with a 68-61 win at Morehead State. The game was TSU's first win in nine games since winning the OVC Tournament title in 1998.SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Racers lead 37-14
@ Murray: Racers lead 21-5
@ Nashville: Racers lead 16-7
Neutral: Tigers lead 2-0
OVC Tournament: Racers lead 3-2
First Meeting: 1983 MSU won 65-58 in Murray, Ky. in overtime
Last Meeting: Feb. 14 TSU won 75-70 in Nashville, Tenn.
Trend: Played four times in the last two seasons, each with two wins.
Billy Kennedy vs TSU: 2-2
Cy Alexander vs MSU: 3-7
MEDIA INFORMATION
Television: ESPNU (Jon Sciambi and Mark Adams)
Radio: Froggy 103.7 FM Neal Bradley & Josh Perigo
Internet: GoRacers.com FREE live audio
OVCsports.tv PAY live video
