Two Career Nights Not Enough Against JSU

Saturday, January 25

CFSB Center

5:15 p.m.

Murray State

8-11 (1-6OVC)

Jacksonville State

8-14 (4-5OVC)

Team	1	2	F
Jacksonville St.	36	42	78
Murray St.	23	53	76

Photo by: Neal Head

1/25/2014 8:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

| Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF) | Photo Gallery

Despite career-highs from Bianca Babic and Jessica Winfrey, the Racers could not overcome a big opening half by Jacksonville State Saturday evening at The Bank and fell, 78-76.

The Gamecocks had the hot hand in the first half, shooting a scorching 47.1 percent from the field for 36 points. In comparison, Murray State only shot 23.7 percent and scored just 23 in the frame,

Jax State's big break in the game mid-way through the first stanza when it went on a 13-3 run, surging to a 30-19 lead. The Racers also went cold during the run with separate stretches of 3:49 and 6:17 without a field goal.

In the second, the Racers took control late and outscored the Gamecocks 53-42 in the stanza. MSU gained significant ground by shooting 43.2 percent from the floor and knocking down eight of its 11 3-pointers in the half. However, even a buzzer-beating three by Julia Fox was only able to cut the lead to two, as the Racers fell for the fourth-straight game.

Babic scored a career-high 21 points in the game, with all 21 points coming by way of the 3-point shot. The seven 3-pointers marks just the seventh time in the history of the program that a player has reached the mark.

Jessica Winfrey became the first Racer since Mariah Robinson during the 2010-11 season to tally a double-double in the first half. Winfrey finished the first half with 10 points and 11 rebounds, on her way to career-high 20 points to go along with career-high tying 20 rebounds.

Winfrey's double-double was her sixth of the season and her 12^th 10-plus rebound performance. The game also marked the fourth time this season that she has pulled down 17 or more rebounds.

A trio of freshman also added to the cause, with Julia Fox netting 12 and Taylor Porter chipping in 11. Porter was a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line on the night, while Janssen Starks tied her career-high with seven assists.

With the win, Jacksonville State improves to 8-14 on the year and 4-5 in the OVC. The loss drops Murray State to 8-11 overall and 1-5 in league play.

On Monday, Murray State will close out a two-game home stand when it hosts Tennessee Tech. Game time between the Racers and the Golden Eagles is set for 7 p.m. at The Bank.