Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Tennessee Tech
Racers Fall to League-Leading Tennessee Tech
2/10/2011 9:08:28 PM | Women's Basketball
Box Score
The Racers (618, 2-11) were led by a group of three players with either double-digit points or rebounds. Sophomore Mariah Robinson led the team with 24 points, while junior Rachael Isom added a season-best 19 points. Red-shirt freshman Jessica Winfrey garnered 12 rebounds and was two points shy of a double-double, with eight.
The game started out slow, with the first three points being scored by the Golden Eagles (19-4, 13-1) at the free-throw line. A triple by the junior Mallory Schwab, with 18:34 remaining, tied the game and was the first made field goal of the game. However, TTU quickly found its rhythm and went on a 9-1 run over the next four minutes to take the lead for good. MSU followed with a 5-0 run, but the three-point deficit was as far as they would cut the lead. The Golden Eagles then used several small runs over the next few minutes to push the lead into double digits.
Around the 10-minute mark both teams picked up the defensive pressure and held each other scoreless for almost five minutes. After getting back into the scoring rhythm TTU went on a 7-0 run to build its lead to 21. The Racers ended the last 2:30 of the half on a 6-2 run and went into the locker room trailing 40-23.
MSU opened the second half on a 5-0 run (first 1:30) and cut the deficit to 12. The scored then toggled back-and-forth between a 10-14 point lead for TTU until 13 minutes remained in the half. A three-point play by Isom cut the lead to nine points, with the help of a 5-2 run by the Racers. The Golden Eagles followed with a 6-0 run that was countered by an 8-2 run by MSU until 7:10 was left on the clock. The runs cut the lead to nine again and its was stuck in that vicinity for the next four minutes before TTU pushed its lead back to double digits on the way to the victory.
Shooting percentages overall and from the charity stripe were key reasons for the loss. The Racers shot just 32.8 percent for the game, while the Golden Eagles connected at a .434 rate. MSU was also unable to take full advantage of its 21 trips to the free-throw line, making just 14. TTU made 22-of-31 attempts.
The Racers will remain at home for one more game over the weekend when Jacksonville State heads to Murray, Saturday, Feb. 12. The game is the annual Pink Zone game to help promote awareness for breast cancer. Fans are encouraged to help support the cause by wearing pink.
