Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Florida International
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MSU Sweeps Coaches vs Cancer Classic-Aska MVP
11/23/2009 11:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers made it a clean sweep of three games in Miami, Fla., at the Coaches vs Cancer Classic with an 84-71 win Monday over Florida International at US Century Bank Arena.
The Racers have won four straight and move to 4-1 overall.
"It was a very difficult task playing FIU on their home court," MSU head coach Billy Kennedy said "To come down here and get three wins and learn a lot about our team is very good."
After falling behind 16-10 at the 12:35 mark, the Racers broke it open with a 14-1 run over the next four minutes.
MSU scored on back to back fast break baskets from Danero Thomas and Ivan Aska which was followed by a steal and slam by Isaiah Canaan for a 22-16 MSU lead.
Canaan got another steal and easy basket for a 31-20 MSU lead at 5:00.
The Racers added an 8-0 run in the final 1:08 when they tallied three straight steals.
In the final 12:35 of the half, MSU outscored FIU 34-10.
In the second half, MSU was cruising with a 17-point lead at the 8:04 mark when things began to unravel.
The game became tight when FIU put together a 14-3 run to cut the MSU lead to 69-63 with 6:35 left.
MSU regained control when Jeffery McClain hit a pair of free throws, followed by a three-pointer by Isacc Miles.
Jenkins finished a fast break after a steal for a 79-66 lead with 1:55 remaining.
"We've been very good at closing games and closing halves," Kennedy added. "Our depth is good and that is one of the best things about our team right now. We've got good balance and we've had a different guy lead us every night and that's a good thing to see."
The Racers were led by Isacc Miles with 16 points which included 3-of-5 from three-point range. Thomas added 13, while Jenkins added 12 as did Aska.
Aska was named the event MVP, while Danero Thomas was named to the all-event team along with Julius Wells of James Madison, C.J. Wilkerson of North Carolina Central and Bill Gary Jr. of FIU.
GAME NOTES
After traveling home to Murray, Ky. Tuesday, the Racers will enjoy the Thanksgiving break before returning to action Saturday against Tennessee Wesleyan. The game tips at 7 p.m. at the Regional Special Events Center.
The TWC game begins a three-game home stand for the Racers. Dec. 3 the Racers open Ohio Valley Conference play at home against Eastern Kentucky in a game that will air on ESPNU. MSU meets Morehead State Dec. 5 in a battle of OVC co-favorites.
Danero Thomas's 13 points tonight marked his ninth straight game with double-figure scoring dating back to last season.
He is now 27 from becoming the 35th member of the MSU 1000-Point Club.
Thomas also has a streak of 7 straight games with double-figure scoring dating back to last season.
Tonight's win was the 1,397th in the 85-year history of MSU Basketball.
The Racers were busy taking the ball straight to the rim either on fast breaks or in the half-court as they had 36 points in the paint at half.
Through five games, the Racers have had four different leaders in scoring. Aska led the team in the first two games against Cal and UMSL with 17 and 20 points. Since then, Easley led the way against JMU with 18, with Jenkins getting 16 against NCCU and Miles led the way tonight with 16.
