Late Game Heroics Lead Racers Past Evansville

Tuesday, December 18

CFSB Center

7 p.m.

Murray State

Evansville

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

12/18/2018 10:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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The Murray State Racers came from seven points down with 4:43 left to defeat the Evansville Purple Aces 66-64 at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

Ja Morant's scooping layup with .6 seconds on the clock gave the Racers the lead and their fifth-straight win and 15^th consecutive home win.

Morant never came off the floor and was only two rebounds from a triple-double with 27 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Buchanan was MSU's only other double-figure scorer with 10 points and he tied Morant for the team lead with eight rebounds.

In the first half, a Morant alley-oop to KJ Williams and then a three from Brion Whitley gave the Racers a 21-20 lead 7:20 before half. The half ended on a good note for the Racers when Jaiveon Eaves hit a buzzer beater at the halftime horn for a 35-28 Racers lead, their largest lead of the game.

When Tevin Brown hit from long range to start the second half, the Racers led 38-30 with 18:15 left. Williams hit in the lane after the Racers had made six-straight free throws for a 47-42 lead with 12:30 left. Evansville went on a 16-3 run that set up MSU's chance to make a comeback and they did.

At the end of the day, the Racers forced UE into 15 turnovers, while limiting their own to eight. The Racers shot 39 percent from the field (23-of-59) and the Purple Aces were 43 percent (23-of-53).

The Racers hit the road for a Saturday contest against the Auburn Tigers. The game has a 3:30 p.m. tip at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Alabama. The SEC Network will air the game.