Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Evansville
Players Mentioned
Racers Host Evansville In Season Opener
11/6/2018 10:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Date (Time): Nov. 7 (6 p.m.)
Opponent: Evansville
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (CFSB Center)
Audio: WNBS 1340 AM (PxP: Jeremy Rose)
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersWBB
MSU Record (Streak): 0-0 (Lost 2)
UE Record (Streak): 0-0 (Lost 21)
All-Time Series vs. UE (Streak): MUR leads 20-15 (Lost 2)
All-Time Series in Murray (Streak): MUR leads 11-6 (Lost 2)
First Meeting: W 46-41 (Feb. 26, 1972, Murray, Ky.)
Last Meeting: L 81-89 (Nov. 12, 2017, Evansville, Ind.)
Last Five vs. UE: 2-3 (LLWLW)
MSU Next Game: Nov. 10 vs. Oakland City
MSU Next Home Game: Nov. 10 vs. Oakland City
The Game
The Murray State women's basketball officially kicks off the 2018-19 season Wednesday against Evansville at 6 p.m. at the CFSB Center. The game will air locally on 1340 WNBS and on the web via ESPN+.
2018-19 Season Preview
The Racers return just five players and two starters from a year ago with perhaps the biggest hole to fill being left by the 2017-18 OVC Player of the Year Ke'Shunan James. With just four players returning that saw action last season, MSU will look to replace 79.6 percent of its 70.1 points per game in 2017-18. Brianna Crane leads all returners for Murray State averaging 7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds a season ago. Other returners included Paige Barrett, Janika Griffith-Wallace and Michaela Manley. To help fill the scoring gap in 208-19, Murray State will have eight new faces this season including Evelyn Adebayo, who sat out due to NCAA transfer rules last year, the hometown trio of Lex Mayes, Macey Turley and Alexis Burpo and junior college transfers Cekeya Mack and DeAsia Outlaw, among others. Rechelle Turner enters her second year as the head coach of the Racers, after guiding them to the OVC tournament and coaching the OVC Player of the Year in her first season. Joining Monica Evans and Amber Guffey as assistants on Turner's staff this season is Jauwan Scaife. The former Ball State men's basketball standout comes to the Racers after one season at Evansville and two at Southeast Missouri State.
The Evansville Series
Wednesday will be the 26th all-time meeting between Murray State and Evansville with the Racers holding a 20-15 advantage, despite Evansville entering the contest on a two-game series win streak. In Murray, the Racers have lost just six time in 17 game, however the past two times UE has visited the CFSB Center, it has walked away with a victory.
Scouting The Purple Aces
After going 14-17 in year one of the Matt Ruffing era in 2016-17, the Purple Aces took a step back last season, winning just three games overall and none in Missouri Valley play. Senior guard Kerri Gasper returns for UE this season after leading the team with 13.1 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game last year. In their lone exhibition this season, freshman Makayla Wallace hit a three at the buzzer to send the Purple Aces, by Kentucky Wesleyan, 81-80. Freshman Anna Newman led the team in the game with 15 points, while Gasper followed with 14 and was just one board shy of a double-double, finishing with nine rebounds.
Lifting The Lid
Murray State opens its 52nd season of women's basketball Wednesday and is 21-30 all-time in season openers and 24-23 in home openers. The Racers are 3-4 all-time against UE in season openers and 2-3 against the Purple Aces in home openers.
Shaking The Dust Off
The Racers won their only exhibition of the year last Thursday, 72-51 over Lindsey Wilson. After sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Evelyn Adebayo easily got back in the groove and led MSU with 21 points, while Janika Griffith-Wallace posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Next One Up
The Racers return just 20.4 percent of their scoring from last year with the most notable loss being the 2017-18 OVC Player of the Year, Ke'Shunnan James. Brianna Crane will lead all returners this season after averaging 7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season.
OK, What's Next?
Murray State returns to action Saturday against Oakland City. Tip-off from The Bank is scheduled for 5 p.m.
