Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Arkansas State
Canaan Blast: Racers Knock Off Arkansas State 66-53 - Now 12-0
12/17/2011 7:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Isaiah Canaan scored 21 points as the 24th ranked Murray State Racers kept their undefeated season going Saturday with a 66-53 home over Arkansas State at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.
MSU moved their mark to start the 2011-12 season to 12-0 and their home-court win streak is also 12 straight.
Canaan scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the first half as the Racers took a 35-30 lead into halftime. MSU had to fight back after Arkansas State jumped to a 17-10 lead halfway through the opening 20 mintues. The Racers outscored the Red Wolves 25-13 over the remainder of the half to take a five point lead at the break.
The Racers got their game in high gear at the start of the second half, hitting ASU with a four-point play when Canaan hit a three-pointer and was fouled. His free throw made it a nine-point lead for the Racers.
The lead went to 15 at the 12:37 mark when MSU got baskets from Poole and Canaan at the 11:39 mark. MSU made it a 55-34 lead with 9:28 left when Aska hit a post-up move and started a fastbreak with a blocked shot. MSU had an 18-4 to start the second half.
Canaan finished the night 6-10 from behind the 3-point line and 7-12 from the field for the game. Ivan Aska turned in a double-double, adding 14 points with team-best 11 rebounds, and Donte Poole conttributed 11 points.
The Racers return Wednesday, Dec. 21, opening Ohio Valley Conference action against UT Martin. Tip at the CFSB Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Racers have tied the second longest winning streak to start a seson in school history at 12-0. This season's team is tied with the teams from 1936-36 and 1950-51 that were coached by Carlisle Cutchin and Harlan Hodges. Carlisle's 1935-36 squad holds the all-time mark of 16-0.
The Racers' run over the last three seasons just keeps going. They're now 66-14 (.825) since 2009 and 33-2 (.942) at the CFSB Center.
Canaan's 21 points pushed him closer to becoming the 38th member of the MSU 1000-Point Club. The junior now has 980 career points. Teammate Ivan Aska joined the club in the Racers' game at the Great Alaska Shootout against Alaska-Anchorage (Nov. 23).
The Racers' home winning streak at the CFSB Center is 12 games after today's win. MSU has won 14 straight non-conference home games.
Donte Poole ended his streak of consecutive games with a made three-point basket when he was 0-5 tonight. Isaiah Canaan's streak is now 11, he also owns the all-time mark at MSU with 17 in a row.
Canaan has scored in double-figures in 13 straight games dating back to last season and 24 of his last 26 games.
MSU is 10-0 when leading at half time. The only time MSU hasn't enjoyed the lead at half was the UAB game (Nov. 20).
