Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
James Madison
MSU Uses Lock-Down Defense In 71-43 Win Over JMU
11/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers posted a win Friday in the Coaches vs Cancer Classic over James Madison by a 71-43 score at US Century Bank Arena in Miami, Fla.
The Racers produced a great start to the game when they bolted to a 19-8 advantage at the 12:51 mark when Tony Easley finished a fast break with a ringing slam dunk.
After the initial burst, the Racers had another good burst at the end of the half when Easley scored inside before Danero Thomas hit a jumper at the buzzer of the half for a 36-17 MSU lead.
Easley led the MSU attack with a big day of 15 points and six rebounds in the first half alone.
After JMU cut the MSU lead to 47-32 with 12:06 left in the game, the Racers had a 9-0 run to push ahead by 24 points with at 8:15.
The Racers cruised the rest of the way in improving their mark to 2-1 this season, while JMU fell to 0-2.
Easley tallied his sixth career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds as he also had five blocked shots.
Danero Thomas and Isaiah Canaan each added 12 to the Racers offensive attack.
MSU held the Dukes to 28 percent shooting in the game and made up for their 38 percent clip by hitting 22-of-33 from the free throw line for 70 percent.
The Racers also led the rebounding stat with a 53-32 advantage.
After an off day here in Miami, Fla., on Saturday, the Racers return to the court at FIU Sunday against North Carolina Central at 7 p.m. central time after FIU takes on JMU in the first game at 5 p.m.
MSU finishes the Coaches vs Cancer Classic with a Monday 6 p.m. tip against the host Panthers.
GAME NOTES
The Racers are now 3-6 all-time against teams from the Colonial Athletic Association. This was their first meeting with JMU. Here are the Racers' other records: Old Dominion (1-0), Virginia Commonwealth (0-2), Drexel (1-0), Towson (1-1), William & Mary (0-2) and UNC Wilmington (0-1).
After an off day here in Miami, Fla., on Saturday, the Racers return to the court at FIU Sunday against North Carolina Central at 7 p.m. central time after FIU takes on JMU in the first game at 5 p.m.
MSU finishes the Coaches vs Cancer Classic with a Monday 6 p.m. tip against the host Panthers.
The 17 points JMU had in the first half was one of the better defensive efforts for the Racers in the Billy Kennedy era and the best first half since holding Eastern Illinois to 18 points last Feb. 3.
