Hot Shooting and Defense Pushes MSU Past UE

Saturday, December 5

Evansville, Ind.

1 p.m.

Murray State

3-5

Evansville

1-6

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Murray State	14	24	15	20	73
Evansville	15	9	13	17	54

12/5/2015 2:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Murray State went on a 24-8 run to end the second quarter and outscored Evansville 24-9 in the frame to help open up a big lead on its way to snapping a five-game losing streak Saturday as the Racers ran past UE 73-54 in Evansville, Ind.

Trailing 16-14 early in the quarter, the Racers (3-5) came alive offensively and went on a 13-0 streak at one point during the run as well. LeAsia Wright sparked the MSU attack as she hit a 3-pointer on three straight possessions to push the Racers in front for good at 20-18 with 7:50 left in the half. MSU took a 38-24 lead into the locker room. The Racers were able to maintain and even extend their lead heading to the fourth quarter, 53-37.

Wright had a huge afternoon, pouring in a career-high 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting and an incredible 8-for-12 from 3-point range. The eight 3-pointers is a new career-high for Wright and is just one shy of the school record. Ke'Shunan James had a solid all-around performance as she scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds, had seven assists and a game-high four steals. Kyra Gulledge added seven points and six boards while Jashae Lee and Bria Bethea scored nine each.

The Racers had a strong defensive effort in the win, holding Evansville (1-6) to just 40.8 percent shooting and 5-of-15 from beyond the arc. MSU also had a big advantage in turnovers and points off of turnovers as they scored 23 points on 19 Purple Aces turnovers. The Racers had a season-low 11 miscues in the win and UE had eight points off of those.

The Racers shot a season-best 54.7 percent from the field and went 10-of-21 (47.6 percent) from deep. The Racers were outrebounded by Evansville 33-23. UE held a 15-7 edge in second-chance points in the contest.

Evansville was able to cut the Racer advantage to single digits just once the rest of the game, 58-49 with 5:13 left to play before Wright buried another three and pushed the lead back to double digits. MSU led by as many as 22 points in the second half.

MSU will have the upcoming week off due to finals week and will return to action and the CFSB Center Dec. 14 when the Racers host Blue Mountain.