Murray State
Eastern Illinois
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First Place Racers Win 60-51 At EIU
1/22/2010 1:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers moved their perfect record in the Ohio Valley Conference to 9-0 Thursday with a 60-51 win against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Lantz Arena in Charleston, Ill.
The Racers (17-3), won for the eighth straight time as they head into a Saturday game against Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Leading 27-23 at half, MSU used two runs in the second half to defeat EIU for the fifth straight time.
When EIU took a 32-31 lead with 16:16 remaining in the game, the Racers responded with an 8-1 run to move in front by six at the 14:46 mark on baskets by Isacc Miles and Danero Thomas.
Again the Panthers made a move and cut MSU's lead to 40-37 at the 13:31 mark, only to see the Racers put together an 8-0 run to lead by 11 with 9:11 left. Donte Poole, Tony Easley and Isaiah Canaan provided the punch after MSU made two steals and forced EIU into a shot clock violation.
EIU never got any closer than seven the rest of the way as the Racers won their fifth straight OVC road contest.
MSU head coach Billy Kennedy found the outcome pretty, but not the method.
"We turned the ball over way too much in the first half, but you win on the road with your defense and we had some guys step up today, including Danero Thomas and it was good to see him play better," Kennedy said. "If we had made better decisions in the first half, we would've been in better position, but overall it's a win and our guys showed some toughness tonight."
Ivan Aska and Tony Easley were the leading scorers for MSU with each getting 10 points.
Thomas had an impressive line that included, nine points, three assists, two blocks and one steal.
MSU managed 41 percent shooting for the game and limited EIU to 37 percent.
The Racers only hit on 2-of-13 from three-point range, but limited EIU to only seven attempts, of which they only hit one.
MSU forced EIU into 18 turnovers which they converted into 21 points.
GAME NOTES
The Racers win was their fourth straight away from home, which is the second-best streak during the Billy Kennedy era. The Racers won five straight away from home during Kennedy's first season in 2006-07. The Racers road win streak in the OVC is now at five. Since losing at Austin Peay on Feb. 7, 2009, the Racers have scored wins at Eastern Illinois (2-9-09), Southeast Missouri (2-17-09), Tennessee State (1-7-10), Austin Peay (2-9-10) and tonight's game at EIU.
The Racers' current winning streak is eight; tying the one they had earlier in the season and the career-best in Billy Kennedy's 12th season as a head coach.
The win over EIU was Kennedy's 70th at MSU.
MSU is also closing in on the 23rd 20-win season in program history.
Tony Easley had one blocked shot against EIU making his current streak 19 games.
The Racers lead the all-time series with SEMO 45-16 and have won six straight at the Show Me Center since their last loss in 2003.
MSU returns to the RSEC Wednesday Jan. 30 in a 7 p.m. game with SIU Edwardsville. The Racers defeated the Cougars Dec. 30 in Edwardsville, Ill., 82-51.
Now is the time to get your tickets to the 2010 OVC Tournament at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., Mar. 5-6. Fans may purchase tickets from the Sommet Center (615-770-2040) or Ticketmaster (615-255-9600). Fans may also call the Murray State ticket office (270-809-3000). Ticketmaster.com and GoRacers.com are the places to go to purchase tickets online.
