1st Half Efforts Not Enough to Stop Jackson State

Sunday, November 30

Muncie, Ind.

11 a.m.

Murray State

3-4

Jackson State

2-5

OT 1

Jackson State

Murray State

Photo by: Murray Ledger & Times

11/30/2014 1:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The Murray State women's basketball team fell in overtime to Jackson State 90-81 Sunday during the consolation game of the Ball State Federal Credit Union Thanksgiving Classic in Muncie, Indiana. This is the third loss in program history against Jackson State. MSU went into the locker room with a 42-29 lead, but was unable to hold off the Lady Tigers.

Both teams seemed equally matched during the first half of the game. The Lady Tigers (2-5) took the lead first 10-5. The Racers (3-4) quickly tried to take advantage and was able to gain enough momentum to get an advantage they would hold going into halftime. The score was tied four times and the lead changed seven times during the first half. There was a lot of back and forth between the two teams as they committed 25 turnovers combined in the first half. MSU shot .441 from the field, while holding Jackson State to .324. The Racers went on a 12-2 run in the last 5:11 to gain a 42-29 advantage going into the locker room.

MSU had a tough time coming out of the locker room, as the Lady Tigers took advantage of the quick pace the Racers tried. JSU went on a 16-0 run and did not allow the Racers to score from the 17:48 mark until the 11:20 mark to hold a 52-49 advantage. The score would continue to stay close as both teams battled for the lead. With just over two minutes left to play the score would be tied 66-66. The score would remain tight as it regulation clock rounded down the score would be tied 75-75. The Racers shot .394 while the Lady Tigers shot with a .340 clip.

The Lady Tigers went into overtime with the mindset they were going to win this game. While both teams battled, the Racers kept turning the ball over and were unable to gain enough momentum to stop JSU. Murray State played the fouling game in the last minute of the game to hopefully get rebounds and get a chance, but with free throws being made and rebounds being grabbed by the Lady Tigers it was tough for the Racers to gain momentum. Jackson State took the game 90-81.

Four Racers scored in double-digits in the loss. Keiona Kirby led the team with 22 points, with LeAsia Wright adding 12 points. Netanya Jackson and Ke'Shunan James were one rebound away from a double-double with Jackson adding 10 points, and James recording 17 points. The team was outrebounded by 5, and committed seven more turnovers in the loss. They shot .384 from the floor while shooting .267 from behind the arc.

Murray State will return home to the CFSB Center to face Evansville on Wednesday Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.