MSU Finish Runner-Up At Gulf Coast Showcase

Wednesday, November 25

Estero, Fla.

7:30 p.m.

Murray State

4-2

Weber State

5-1

Weber State

Murray State

Photo by: Bob Callighan

11/25/2015 11:13:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

The Murray State Racers dropped a 75-59 defeat to the Weber State Wildcats in the championship game of the Gulf Coast Showcase at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla.

Playing in their third regular season title game since 2011, the Racers couldn't produce the result like they did in wins over Milwaukee and Pepperdine.

A decisive period started with 5:30 before half with the Racers leading 28-26.

Through nearly 15 minutes of the first half, the Racers were staying with the Wildcats when Wayne Langston went to the bench with his second personal foul. WSU took advantage of MSU's absence in the middle and ended the half with a 14-7 run to lead 40-35 at the intermission.

In the second half, WSU scored two baskets for their largest lead of the day at 44-35 with 16:45 left. After the Racers cut the lead to four, WSU took a 56-42 with 12:30 remaining and went on to claim the win.

Jeffery Moss led the Racers with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Langston, who was named to the Gulf Coast Showcase All-Tournament team, tossed in 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Bryce Jones added 12 points and five assists.

Murray State shot 39 percent for the game on 25-of-63, while Weber State hit 26-of-46 for 56 percent.

Game Notes
Wayne Langston is proving to be a player that must be respected by the opponent. In three games he averaged 15 points and four rebounds in three games and shot 74 percent on 20-of-27 from the field.

Along with Langston, four others were named to the All-Tournament Team including Weber State's Jeremy Senglin who was named the MVP. Teammate Joel Bolomboy was named to the team as was Drake's Kale Abrahamson and Duquesne's Derrick Colter. Abrahamson set the Gulf Coast scoring record of 41 points in Monday's first round game against Western Kentucky.

Here are all of the scores from the third annual Gulf Coast Showcase.
Murray State 66, Milwaukee 63
Pepperdine 84, Duquesne 70
Weber State 63, Central Michigan 60
Consolation
Duquesne 96, Milwaukee 92
Western Kentucky 88, Central Michigan 60
Semifinals
Weber State 74, Drake 58
Murray State 59, Pepperdine 55
7^th Place
Milwaukee 84, Central Michigan 78
5^th Place
Duquesne 81, Western Kentucky 73
3^rd Place
Drake 69, Pepperdine 53
Championship
Weber State 75, Murray State 59

Even though the Racers didn't win the Gulf Coast title, they did make it far in a tournament again. MSU won the Great Alaska Shootout in 2011 and finished runner up in 2012 at the Charleston Classic. MSU has a title and two runner ups in three of the last four regular season events they've been part of.

The Racers catch a plane to Nashville Thanksgiving Day and bus home to Murray. The next game for MSU comes quick on Saturday when Alabama A&M comes to the CFSB Center for a 7 p.m. tip.