Murray State University Athletics
Racers Set to Host Jacksonville State In OVC Action
1/12/2010 7:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Murray State women's basketball team will face Jacksonville State in a key Ohio Valley Conference battle, Thursday, Jan. 14 in the Regional Special Events Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.
Scouting Jacksonville State
The Gamecocks improved their record to 4-11 overall and 1-4 in the OVC after upsetting undefeated Morehead State in Jacksonville Jan. 9. The win was the first conference victory for JSU on the season and the first regular-season OVC win since Feb. 19, 2009 against Austin Peay at home (seven games).
The Gamecocks have a lower scoring average than most teams in the conference this season, but they have been spreading out their scoring to all members of the team. JSU has three players averaging around eight points a game and seven of the 12 players on the roster are averaging between five and eight points per outing. Brittany Wiley is the team's current scoring and rebounding leader, with 8.7 points and 4.9 boards per game.
Wiley is one of four main shooters for the Gamecocks. She is one of four that have taken over 100 shot attempts this season. She has a team-high 134 attempts and is making 37.3 percent (50-of-134) of her shtos. Zenobia Pitts is shooting 36.3 percent (45-of-124), Karisma Boykin is at 34.2 percent (40-of-117) and Destiny Lance is shooting 28.8 percent (32-of-111). Pitts and Boykin are the other two JSU players averaging around eight points a game, at 8.1 and 8.4, respectively.
The even scoring distribution has lead to a 36.3 team shooting percentage. There is only one player averaging less than 25 percent from the field and only one at less than 25 percent from beyond the arc, for a team three-point shooting percentage of 29.7.
The Gamecocks are not only spreading out their scoring, but are also distributing their rebounds. Seven of the 12 members of the team are averaging between 2.5 and 5.0 boards per game, with only one player garnering less than one rebound per outing.
JSU is ranked No. 66 in the NCAA for personal fouls committed per game, at 15.9. The low number of fouls also extends to their opponents, who have averaged jut 15.6 per game. The lower number of fouls translates into a smaller number of free-throws attempted. The Gamecocks are currently averaging four less free-throws made per game than MSU this season.
Against the Gamecocks
Last season if you were not a starter for the Racers, it was unlikely that you scored against JSU, as the only returner to the 2009-10 roster to record more than one point against the Gamecocks, senior Mallory Luckett (a 2008-09 starter), garnered 18 points and added 17 rebounds, 10 steals and nine assists in the three-game series with JSU.
The Gamecocks have three returners to the 2009-10 roster that recorded double-digit point totals in the three games against the Racers. Jolie Efezokhae led the team with 47 points and added 19 rebounds, while Zenobia Pitts tallied 28 points and Candice Carmine added 22 points and 14 rebounds.
The Series
The all-time series with the Gamecocks is the shortest OVC series, as JSU didn't become a member of the league until the 2003-04 campaign. The Racers own a 9-2 advantage in the series, with only one game (a MSU win) being played as a non-OVC game. The Racers have been the victors in the last six games and own a 4-2 mark when playing in the RSEC.
Vance Stepping Up
Senior Kayla Vance has been stepping up for MSU since the start of the conference season in early December. The West Paducah, Ky., native has improved her scoring output from 3.2 points per game in the opening five games of the season to 10.7 points. Vance has tallied double-digit point totals in eight of the last 10 games for MSU and has performed even better against league opponents, averaging 15.8 points per game.
Scoring Go-Round
After having three players from the 2008-09 season dominate the scoring all season, the 2009-10 edition of the Racers has been harder to determine who will fill in that role. MSU has had six different members of the roster lead the team in scoring this season. Senior Kayla Vance is leading the way with seven games in the top-scoring position, while sophomore Rachael Isom has done so four times and senior Mallory Luckett three times. Sophomore Mallory Schwab has been the leading scorer twice, with freshman Mariah Robinson and sophomore Kristen Kluempers each leading the team once.
National Recognition
Murray State might not have the best overall record, but the team is currently ranked in the top-100 of four national statistical categories and has three players ranked in the top-110 in four individual categories as of Jan. 10.
The Racers top ranking is in three pointers made per game, at No. 39 (6.9). The Racers are also No. 42 in three-point field-goal defense (27.9), No. 70 in turnover margin (2.56) and No. 92 in scoring offense (68.7 ppg).
Mallory Luckett leads the team with two individual top-100 rankings. The Louisville, Ky., native is in the No. 51 spot for assists (4.9) and No. 58 in assist/turnover ratio (1.76). Freshman Jessica Holder is ranked 95th in blocked shots (1.5) and senior Kayla Vance recently earned a No. 102 ranking for her 81.3 free-throw percentage.
Three Point Streak
The Racers currently have the No. 10 active three-point scoring streak in NCAA DI women's basketball, at 305 games. The streak dates back to Nov. 27, 1999 against Belmont. Canisus College is leading the list, with an NCAA-record 469-straight games scoring at least one shot from beyond the arc. Southeast Missouri State is the only other team from the conference in the top-10, at No. 7 (358).
Senior Leadership
All three of MSU's seniors have been leading by example and Jasmyne Thornton has seemed to find a new level recently. The LaGrange, Ga., native has tallied career highs in the points, rebounding, assists and steals. At Southern Illinois she tallied a double-digit point total for the first time in her career and was two rebounds shy of a double-double, with 12 points and eight rebounds. Against the Salukis she also recorded her first career three-pointer on her first career attempt. She also added career bests of four assists and two steals against IUPUI.
Home Away From Home
Several of the members of the 2009-10 women's basketball team were close to home for the IUPUI game. Sophomores Mallory Schwab and Kristen Kluempers and assistant coach Ashley Hayes are all from around the Indianapolis area. It was the first time playing or coaching close to their local high schools for all three.
Schwab made the most of her extended cheering section, garnering career highs in five categories. The Martinsville, Ind., native tallied career bests for points (19), rebounds (7), steals (3), field goals (7) and three-point field goals (4).
The rest of the team also took advantage of the large cheering section, as they broke their seven-game losing streak, with an 88-68 victory. Schwab was one of five players in double-digits for the Racers and one of six players to garner career highs on the day.
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 then 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 treys, good for the No. 4 spot on the MSU charts. The Racers tied that same mark against IUPUI (Dec. 21). The 14 made three's rank the Racers in a tie at No. 17 for the most three's made in a single game this season for an NCAA team.
The team's eight blocks against the Cougars were also the most since Jan. 22, 2005 and the eighth most in a single game.
Up Next
The Racers will conclude a two-game home stand by hosting Tennessee Tech, Saturday, Jan. 16 at 5:15 p.m. in the RSEC. Saturday's game will be Cheerleading Night at the RSEC, with performances by local cheerleaders during half time of both the men's and women's games.
Noteables
Thursday will be $1 Night at the RSEC, with hot dogs, candy, pop corn and soda on sale for $1 at the concession stands for both the men's and women's games.
Scouting Jacksonville State
The Gamecocks improved their record to 4-11 overall and 1-4 in the OVC after upsetting undefeated Morehead State in Jacksonville Jan. 9. The win was the first conference victory for JSU on the season and the first regular-season OVC win since Feb. 19, 2009 against Austin Peay at home (seven games).
The Gamecocks have a lower scoring average than most teams in the conference this season, but they have been spreading out their scoring to all members of the team. JSU has three players averaging around eight points a game and seven of the 12 players on the roster are averaging between five and eight points per outing. Brittany Wiley is the team's current scoring and rebounding leader, with 8.7 points and 4.9 boards per game.
Wiley is one of four main shooters for the Gamecocks. She is one of four that have taken over 100 shot attempts this season. She has a team-high 134 attempts and is making 37.3 percent (50-of-134) of her shtos. Zenobia Pitts is shooting 36.3 percent (45-of-124), Karisma Boykin is at 34.2 percent (40-of-117) and Destiny Lance is shooting 28.8 percent (32-of-111). Pitts and Boykin are the other two JSU players averaging around eight points a game, at 8.1 and 8.4, respectively.
The even scoring distribution has lead to a 36.3 team shooting percentage. There is only one player averaging less than 25 percent from the field and only one at less than 25 percent from beyond the arc, for a team three-point shooting percentage of 29.7.
The Gamecocks are not only spreading out their scoring, but are also distributing their rebounds. Seven of the 12 members of the team are averaging between 2.5 and 5.0 boards per game, with only one player garnering less than one rebound per outing.
JSU is ranked No. 66 in the NCAA for personal fouls committed per game, at 15.9. The low number of fouls also extends to their opponents, who have averaged jut 15.6 per game. The lower number of fouls translates into a smaller number of free-throws attempted. The Gamecocks are currently averaging four less free-throws made per game than MSU this season.
Against the Gamecocks
Last season if you were not a starter for the Racers, it was unlikely that you scored against JSU, as the only returner to the 2009-10 roster to record more than one point against the Gamecocks, senior Mallory Luckett (a 2008-09 starter), garnered 18 points and added 17 rebounds, 10 steals and nine assists in the three-game series with JSU.
The Gamecocks have three returners to the 2009-10 roster that recorded double-digit point totals in the three games against the Racers. Jolie Efezokhae led the team with 47 points and added 19 rebounds, while Zenobia Pitts tallied 28 points and Candice Carmine added 22 points and 14 rebounds.
The Series
The all-time series with the Gamecocks is the shortest OVC series, as JSU didn't become a member of the league until the 2003-04 campaign. The Racers own a 9-2 advantage in the series, with only one game (a MSU win) being played as a non-OVC game. The Racers have been the victors in the last six games and own a 4-2 mark when playing in the RSEC.
Vance Stepping Up
Senior Kayla Vance has been stepping up for MSU since the start of the conference season in early December. The West Paducah, Ky., native has improved her scoring output from 3.2 points per game in the opening five games of the season to 10.7 points. Vance has tallied double-digit point totals in eight of the last 10 games for MSU and has performed even better against league opponents, averaging 15.8 points per game.
Scoring Go-Round
After having three players from the 2008-09 season dominate the scoring all season, the 2009-10 edition of the Racers has been harder to determine who will fill in that role. MSU has had six different members of the roster lead the team in scoring this season. Senior Kayla Vance is leading the way with seven games in the top-scoring position, while sophomore Rachael Isom has done so four times and senior Mallory Luckett three times. Sophomore Mallory Schwab has been the leading scorer twice, with freshman Mariah Robinson and sophomore Kristen Kluempers each leading the team once.
National Recognition
Murray State might not have the best overall record, but the team is currently ranked in the top-100 of four national statistical categories and has three players ranked in the top-110 in four individual categories as of Jan. 10.
The Racers top ranking is in three pointers made per game, at No. 39 (6.9). The Racers are also No. 42 in three-point field-goal defense (27.9), No. 70 in turnover margin (2.56) and No. 92 in scoring offense (68.7 ppg).
Mallory Luckett leads the team with two individual top-100 rankings. The Louisville, Ky., native is in the No. 51 spot for assists (4.9) and No. 58 in assist/turnover ratio (1.76). Freshman Jessica Holder is ranked 95th in blocked shots (1.5) and senior Kayla Vance recently earned a No. 102 ranking for her 81.3 free-throw percentage.
Three Point Streak
The Racers currently have the No. 10 active three-point scoring streak in NCAA DI women's basketball, at 305 games. The streak dates back to Nov. 27, 1999 against Belmont. Canisus College is leading the list, with an NCAA-record 469-straight games scoring at least one shot from beyond the arc. Southeast Missouri State is the only other team from the conference in the top-10, at No. 7 (358).
Senior Leadership
All three of MSU's seniors have been leading by example and Jasmyne Thornton has seemed to find a new level recently. The LaGrange, Ga., native has tallied career highs in the points, rebounding, assists and steals. At Southern Illinois she tallied a double-digit point total for the first time in her career and was two rebounds shy of a double-double, with 12 points and eight rebounds. Against the Salukis she also recorded her first career three-pointer on her first career attempt. She also added career bests of four assists and two steals against IUPUI.
Home Away From Home
Several of the members of the 2009-10 women's basketball team were close to home for the IUPUI game. Sophomores Mallory Schwab and Kristen Kluempers and assistant coach Ashley Hayes are all from around the Indianapolis area. It was the first time playing or coaching close to their local high schools for all three.
Schwab made the most of her extended cheering section, garnering career highs in five categories. The Martinsville, Ind., native tallied career bests for points (19), rebounds (7), steals (3), field goals (7) and three-point field goals (4).
The rest of the team also took advantage of the large cheering section, as they broke their seven-game losing streak, with an 88-68 victory. Schwab was one of five players in double-digits for the Racers and one of six players to garner career highs on the day.
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 then 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 treys, good for the No. 4 spot on the MSU charts. The Racers tied that same mark against IUPUI (Dec. 21). The 14 made three's rank the Racers in a tie at No. 17 for the most three's made in a single game this season for an NCAA team.
The team's eight blocks against the Cougars were also the most since Jan. 22, 2005 and the eighth most in a single game.
Up Next
The Racers will conclude a two-game home stand by hosting Tennessee Tech, Saturday, Jan. 16 at 5:15 p.m. in the RSEC. Saturday's game will be Cheerleading Night at the RSEC, with performances by local cheerleaders during half time of both the men's and women's games.
Noteables
Thursday will be $1 Night at the RSEC, with hot dogs, candy, pop corn and soda on sale for $1 at the concession stands for both the men's and women's games.
Indiana State VS Murray State | MVC Baseball Tournament | Game Highlights
Friday, May 22
Evansville VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
Saturday, February 28
Head Coach Rechelle Turner | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
Thomas & Pena | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
