Three Pointers Lift Racers Past Jacksonville

Saturday, December 20

CFSB Center

1 p.m.

Murray State

4-7

Jacksonville

3-7

Jacksonville

Murray State

Photo by: Neal Head

12/20/2014 3:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The Murray State women's basketball team dropped 12 from the behind the arc to defeat Jacksonville 80-62 Saturday at the CFSB Center. MSU improves to a 6-1 record under head coach Rob Cross when facing a new opponent at home, and 8-8 overall when facing a new opponent.

The Racers (4-7) came out of the gate on a strong note as they began with a 6-0 run. The Dolphins (3-7) tried to make a difference, but Murray State could not be stopped. MSU knocked down seven from behind the arc in the first half for a 50.0 shooting percentage. Ke'Shunan James put down 11 points in the first half, with Keiona Kirby adding eight. MSU capitalized off of JU's seven turnovers to score 10 points. Murray State went into the locker room with a 38-22 lead, but Jacksonville ended the half on a 7-0 run.

MSU continued their hot streak from behind the arc by knocking down five-of-six during the second half. From 13:29 until 11:13, the Racers forced three turnovers and went on a 7-0 run. The Dolphins made an effort to come back and outrebounded MSU by 13, but it wasn't enough to stop the double-digits of James, Kirby and Olivia Cunningham.

Kirby had a game-high 20 points, while Cunningham and James added 18 and 17, respectively. Kirby and James led the Racers with eight and seven rebounds, respectively, along with James six assists. Murray State shot 51.0 percent on the game, while holding Jacksonville to 30.4 percent.

"We were moving the ball a lot better" Cross said. "We have a lot we can learn from the today…it's good that we can learn a lot after a victory."

Murray State will face Illinois at Champaign, Illinois Monday Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.