Murray State University Athletics
Racers Start Holiday Road Swing at Missouri
12/10/2009 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Murray State women's basketball team begins the longest road swing of the 2009-10 campaign Sunday, with a match-up with Missouri at 1 p.m. in Mizzou Arena. The game is the first of five road contests for the Racers (4-4, 0-2 OVC) that will end the 2009 portion of the season.
Scouting Missouri
The Tigers are currently 5-2 overall, but will have one more chance to better their record before they face the Racers. Mizzou hosts Texas Pan American, Thursday after defeating Bradley, 52-46, in the first of six-straight home games for the Tigers.
Mizzou has four main scoring and rebounding threats on the court. Jessra Johnson averages 15 points and 7.6 rebounds per game to lead the Tigers in both categories. Amanda Hanneman adds 13.3 points and 4.1 boards, Shakara Jones contributes 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, and RaeShara Brown tallies 11.3 points and 6.4 boards per game. All four are starters for the Tigers with Toy Richbow. The five starters all average over 27 minutes a game and Mizzou only has two other players who are averaging over 10 minutes per game.
The Tigers are a strong overall shooting team, with a .387 (179-of-462) shooting percentage. Mizzou had an off night against Bradley and saw the team shooting percentage drop two percent to below 40. The Tigers also hit a lot of shots from beyond the arc. Twenty-seven percent of their made shots have come from beyond the arc, while their opponents are averaging 22 percent of their total shots made from three-point range. Hanneman is the biggest three-point threat at Mizzou. She is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation for three-point field goals made per game (3.7) and 85th in three-point field-goal percentage (41.5).
Mizzou has a good team effort to protect the ball. The team averages 14.9 turnovers per game to its competition's 19 and forces 9.4 of those turnovers to its opponents 5.1 steals per game.
The Tigers are currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation in 10 statistical categories, with their top ranking coming in turnovers per game at 22 (15.2). They are also 24th in assist/turnover ration (1.03). Besides Hanneman, Jones is the only other player ranked in the top 100 in an individual category, with a 68th place in field-goal percentage (51.5).
Against the Tigers
Only two current members of the Racers have seen action against Mizzou. Seniors Mallory Luckett and Jasmyne Thornton both saw limited time against the Tigers in the last meeting during the 2007-08 campaign. Luckett tallied one assist in less than a minute of play, while Thornton added a rebound in seven minutes.
For Mizzou, four of the probable starters all saw time against Murray State in the last meeting, with three earning starting roles. Shakara Jones recorded a double-double against the Racers, with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Jessra Johnson added 21 points and eight rebounds and Toy Richbow garnered 10 points and two rebounds. Jones, Johnson and Richbow were all starters for Mizzou in 2007-08, while RaeShara Brown also saw action off the bench adding two points.
The Series
This will be the fourth meeting between the Racers and the Tigers, with Mizzou having been the victors in all three previous meetings. The series started Dec. 28, 1991 and all three meetings have been in the Mizzou Arena. The Tigers earned a 73-64 win in the last meeting, Nov. 9, 2007.
Vance Stepping Up
Senior Kayla Vance has been stepping up her output in the last few games for the Racers and earned her first career start against Morehead State. The Paducah, Ky., native has tallied season highs for points in each of the last two games, including a career-best 19 against the Eagles (Dec. 5). Vance has been the Racers leading scorer in the last two outings and the only member of the team to garner double digits.
National Recognition
Murray State might not have the best overall record on the year, but the team is currently ranked in the top-100 of eight national statistical categories and the team has two players ranked in the top-100 in four individual categories.
The Racers top ranking is in three-point field goal defense, with a No. 21 spot (24.8). Murray State is also No. 45 in three-point field-goal made per game (7.0).
Mallory Luckett lead the team with three individual top-100 rankings. The Louisville, Ky., native is in the No. 23 spot for assists (5.9), No. 48 in assist/turnover ratio (2.04) and No. 85 in rebound (8.6). The only other individual to make a top-100 list is freshman Jessica Holder, who is ranked 86th in blocked shots (1.6).
Record Setting Performance
The Racers had a record setting game against Mid Continent, Nov. 18. Besides earning the win that moved their home-court winning streak to a school-record 20 games, the team also set a new record for steals in a game. MSU combined for 26 steals, one better than the previous record set against Arkansas State, Feb. 2, 1984.
The team also combined to tally 14 trey's, good for the No. 4 spot on the MSU charts. The team's eight blocks were also the most since Jan. 22, 2005 and the eighth most in a single game.
Adding Height For 2010-11
The Racers signed two student-athletes during the early signing period to the 2010-11 roster. Chanyere Hosey, a 6-3 forward from Bolingbrook, Ill., and Mary Jehlik, a 6-0, forward/center from Mount Sterling, Ky. (Montgomery County).
Hosey is already familiar with Murray State athletics, as her sister is a senior on the Racers Track and Field team and her cousin Candace Nevels is a freshman on this year's women's basketball squad. Hosey was forced to sit on the sidelines due to injury during the 2008-09 season when the Raiders claimed the 4A Illinois State title. Hosey has also been a standout on the Bolingbrook track and field and cross country teams as a prep.
Jehlik is no stranger to participating in the state tournament, as she has been on the varsity roster at Montgomery High School for the past four seasons. The Indians have advanced to the Kentucky State High School Athletic Association Elite Eight for the past four seasons, earning 40th District and 10th Regional championships along the way. Jehlik has earned All-10th Region honors for the past two seasons and was named the 10th Region MVP by LaGrange Insurance in 2007-08.
Youth is the Name of the Game
After a 2008-09 campaign stacked with seniors, youth will be the name of the game for the Racers in 2009-10. MSU returns just three seniors and has no juniors. The rest of the 2009-10 roster consists of four sophomores and eight freshmen. Of the returning seven, only one, Mallory Luckett, was a starter in the 2008-09 season.
With only one other player averaging 10 minutes per game, one might think the outlook is bleak for the 2009-10 edition of the Racers. Questions may abound, but the program has come to expect to compete for championships and is working hard to deserve victory.
The Schedule
Like every season, the MSU women's basketball team will have a challenging schedule to start the 2009-10 campaign. This year the Racers will face teams from eight of the 31 conferences in the NCAA Division I ranks. MSU will play three teams from the Missouri Valley (Evansville, Missouri State, Southern Illinois), two from Conference USA (Memphis and Marshall), and one team from the Big 12, Colonial, Mid-Eastern, Sun Belt, Summit League, and Southwestern.
A few highlights of the season include regional rivals and match ups with nationally renowned programs. MSU will renew a rivalry with 2007 MVC Champion Southern Illinois, when the team travels to Carbondale, Ill., Dec. 19. MSU will also face C-USA powers Memphis and Marshall that will certainly test the youthful team.
Up Next
The Racers will continue the longest road swing of the 2009-10 campaign with a stop in Springfield, Mo., to face Missouri State, Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7:05 p.m. Murray State will also face Southern Illinois (Dec. 19), IUPUI (Dec. 21) and Marshall (Dec. 28) during its time on the road.
Quick Plays
Senior Mallory Luckett is currently ranked 8th on the OVC's Active Career Assists Charts (128)...freshman Jessica Holder is just five blocks away from getting on the Active Career Blocks Charts...she currently has 13 and the last member on the list has 18.
Scouting Missouri
The Tigers are currently 5-2 overall, but will have one more chance to better their record before they face the Racers. Mizzou hosts Texas Pan American, Thursday after defeating Bradley, 52-46, in the first of six-straight home games for the Tigers.
Mizzou has four main scoring and rebounding threats on the court. Jessra Johnson averages 15 points and 7.6 rebounds per game to lead the Tigers in both categories. Amanda Hanneman adds 13.3 points and 4.1 boards, Shakara Jones contributes 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, and RaeShara Brown tallies 11.3 points and 6.4 boards per game. All four are starters for the Tigers with Toy Richbow. The five starters all average over 27 minutes a game and Mizzou only has two other players who are averaging over 10 minutes per game.
The Tigers are a strong overall shooting team, with a .387 (179-of-462) shooting percentage. Mizzou had an off night against Bradley and saw the team shooting percentage drop two percent to below 40. The Tigers also hit a lot of shots from beyond the arc. Twenty-seven percent of their made shots have come from beyond the arc, while their opponents are averaging 22 percent of their total shots made from three-point range. Hanneman is the biggest three-point threat at Mizzou. She is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation for three-point field goals made per game (3.7) and 85th in three-point field-goal percentage (41.5).
Mizzou has a good team effort to protect the ball. The team averages 14.9 turnovers per game to its competition's 19 and forces 9.4 of those turnovers to its opponents 5.1 steals per game.
The Tigers are currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation in 10 statistical categories, with their top ranking coming in turnovers per game at 22 (15.2). They are also 24th in assist/turnover ration (1.03). Besides Hanneman, Jones is the only other player ranked in the top 100 in an individual category, with a 68th place in field-goal percentage (51.5).
Against the Tigers
Only two current members of the Racers have seen action against Mizzou. Seniors Mallory Luckett and Jasmyne Thornton both saw limited time against the Tigers in the last meeting during the 2007-08 campaign. Luckett tallied one assist in less than a minute of play, while Thornton added a rebound in seven minutes.
For Mizzou, four of the probable starters all saw time against Murray State in the last meeting, with three earning starting roles. Shakara Jones recorded a double-double against the Racers, with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Jessra Johnson added 21 points and eight rebounds and Toy Richbow garnered 10 points and two rebounds. Jones, Johnson and Richbow were all starters for Mizzou in 2007-08, while RaeShara Brown also saw action off the bench adding two points.
The Series
This will be the fourth meeting between the Racers and the Tigers, with Mizzou having been the victors in all three previous meetings. The series started Dec. 28, 1991 and all three meetings have been in the Mizzou Arena. The Tigers earned a 73-64 win in the last meeting, Nov. 9, 2007.
Vance Stepping Up
Senior Kayla Vance has been stepping up her output in the last few games for the Racers and earned her first career start against Morehead State. The Paducah, Ky., native has tallied season highs for points in each of the last two games, including a career-best 19 against the Eagles (Dec. 5). Vance has been the Racers leading scorer in the last two outings and the only member of the team to garner double digits.
National Recognition
Murray State might not have the best overall record on the year, but the team is currently ranked in the top-100 of eight national statistical categories and the team has two players ranked in the top-100 in four individual categories.
The Racers top ranking is in three-point field goal defense, with a No. 21 spot (24.8). Murray State is also No. 45 in three-point field-goal made per game (7.0).
Mallory Luckett lead the team with three individual top-100 rankings. The Louisville, Ky., native is in the No. 23 spot for assists (5.9), No. 48 in assist/turnover ratio (2.04) and No. 85 in rebound (8.6). The only other individual to make a top-100 list is freshman Jessica Holder, who is ranked 86th in blocked shots (1.6).
Record Setting Performance
The Racers had a record setting game against Mid Continent, Nov. 18. Besides earning the win that moved their home-court winning streak to a school-record 20 games, the team also set a new record for steals in a game. MSU combined for 26 steals, one better than the previous record set against Arkansas State, Feb. 2, 1984.
The team also combined to tally 14 trey's, good for the No. 4 spot on the MSU charts. The team's eight blocks were also the most since Jan. 22, 2005 and the eighth most in a single game.
Adding Height For 2010-11
The Racers signed two student-athletes during the early signing period to the 2010-11 roster. Chanyere Hosey, a 6-3 forward from Bolingbrook, Ill., and Mary Jehlik, a 6-0, forward/center from Mount Sterling, Ky. (Montgomery County).
Hosey is already familiar with Murray State athletics, as her sister is a senior on the Racers Track and Field team and her cousin Candace Nevels is a freshman on this year's women's basketball squad. Hosey was forced to sit on the sidelines due to injury during the 2008-09 season when the Raiders claimed the 4A Illinois State title. Hosey has also been a standout on the Bolingbrook track and field and cross country teams as a prep.
Jehlik is no stranger to participating in the state tournament, as she has been on the varsity roster at Montgomery High School for the past four seasons. The Indians have advanced to the Kentucky State High School Athletic Association Elite Eight for the past four seasons, earning 40th District and 10th Regional championships along the way. Jehlik has earned All-10th Region honors for the past two seasons and was named the 10th Region MVP by LaGrange Insurance in 2007-08.
Youth is the Name of the Game
After a 2008-09 campaign stacked with seniors, youth will be the name of the game for the Racers in 2009-10. MSU returns just three seniors and has no juniors. The rest of the 2009-10 roster consists of four sophomores and eight freshmen. Of the returning seven, only one, Mallory Luckett, was a starter in the 2008-09 season.
With only one other player averaging 10 minutes per game, one might think the outlook is bleak for the 2009-10 edition of the Racers. Questions may abound, but the program has come to expect to compete for championships and is working hard to deserve victory.
The Schedule
Like every season, the MSU women's basketball team will have a challenging schedule to start the 2009-10 campaign. This year the Racers will face teams from eight of the 31 conferences in the NCAA Division I ranks. MSU will play three teams from the Missouri Valley (Evansville, Missouri State, Southern Illinois), two from Conference USA (Memphis and Marshall), and one team from the Big 12, Colonial, Mid-Eastern, Sun Belt, Summit League, and Southwestern.
A few highlights of the season include regional rivals and match ups with nationally renowned programs. MSU will renew a rivalry with 2007 MVC Champion Southern Illinois, when the team travels to Carbondale, Ill., Dec. 19. MSU will also face C-USA powers Memphis and Marshall that will certainly test the youthful team.
Up Next
The Racers will continue the longest road swing of the 2009-10 campaign with a stop in Springfield, Mo., to face Missouri State, Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7:05 p.m. Murray State will also face Southern Illinois (Dec. 19), IUPUI (Dec. 21) and Marshall (Dec. 28) during its time on the road.
Quick Plays
Senior Mallory Luckett is currently ranked 8th on the OVC's Active Career Assists Charts (128)...freshman Jessica Holder is just five blocks away from getting on the Active Career Blocks Charts...she currently has 13 and the last member on the list has 18.
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