Murray State University Athletics
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MSU Faces NCCU In Coaches vs Cancer Classic
11/22/2009 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game 4
Coaches vs Cancer Classic
Murray State (2-1)
vs
North Carolina Central (1-3)
Sunday 7 p.m. CST
US Century Bank Arena
Miami, Fla.
The Murray State Racers take on the Eagles of North Carolina Central in the Coaches vs Cancer Classic Friday in Miami, Fla., at US Century Bank Arena in a 7 p.m. central time tip. The trip to Miami marks the first time in Racer Basketball to play on the west and east coasts before Thanksgiving (MSU started the season Nov. 5 at California). The Racers had Saturday off after starting the event Friday night a 71-43 win over James Madison. The Racers wrap up their time in Miami with a Monday 6 p.m. cst game with host Florida International. The Racers have never played UNCC or FIU before.
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MSU came up with a dominating performance in their 71-43 win over JMU. The Racers' defense was outstanding as they held the Dukes to only 28 percent shooting from the field (16-57) and 13 percent from three-point range (3-23). After leading 36-17 at half, the Racers saw their lead cut to 15 with 10:55 remaining. The Racers quickly pushed the lead back to 25 at 6:02 and were never threatened again. MSU won the rebounding battle as well by a 53-32 count. Tony Easley had his sixth career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Canaan and Danero Thomas each added 12 points to the MSU effort.
Senior forward Danero Thomas is closing on becoming the 35th member of the MSU 1,000-Point Club and starts the UMSL game needing 53 points to reach the magic mark. 47 double-figure scoring games in his career have helped him along. Thomas has also been a durable player for MSU with appearances in 93 games including 67 starts. He was named to the All-OVC Preseason Team and the All-OVC Second Team as a junior.
With an early pair of Ohio Valley Conference games coming Dec. 3 and 5 against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State, the Racers want to get up to speed quickly. The Racers and Morehead State are co-favorites to win the lead in a preseason vote each received 10 first-place votes in the balloting by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. The MSU-EKU game will be aired by ESPNU.
