Seniors Go Out With a Win in Home Finale

Saturday, February 17

CFSB Center

5 p.m.

Murray State

10-17 (6-10OVC)

Tennessee Tech

6-21 (3-13OVC)

Tennessee Tech

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

2/17/2018 7:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

The Murray State Racers honored their seniors and took a step closer to getting a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with an 80-73 win Saturday over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. The four Racer seniors scored 60 of their team's 80 points on the night.

The Racers (10-17) improved to 6-10 in the OVC and with two games remaining have the eighth and final seed in the OVC Tournament.

It was again a big performance from Ke'Shunan James, who was unstoppable with 37 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field to go with six rebounds and three assists. Bria Bethea ripped down a career-best 12 rebounds and scored 16 points, while Abria Gulledge added 12 points and Mary Jones chipped in with a career-high five to the MSU attack.

Leading 18-11 after the first quarter, MSU opened the second with a 12-4 run and a 30-15 with 5:35 before half. One thing the Racers accomplished in the first half, was keeping Tech off the free throw line. James made a free throw at the end of the half and the Racers lead TTU 39-29 at the intermission.

When Tech cut the Racers' lead to four points inside the 6:30 mark of the third quarter, James went to work and scored five-straight points for a 49-42 lead with 4:55 on the clock. Tech tied it with 30 seconds left in the quarter at 53-53. James hit a free throw with 7.7 left and the game went to the fourth quarter with the Racers leading 54-53.

After falling behind with 8:40 left, the Racers hit TTU with a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer from Bethea and a fast break score, plus a follow-put back by Gulledge for a 65-59 lead with 5:40 remaining. James scored her 34^th and 35^th points of the game with 4:01 left for a 68-61 Racer lead. Tech never mounted a rally the rest of the way thanks in large part to MSU's 21 made free throws, including eight in the final 1:06 of the contest.

MSU wraps up the regular season next week with games at Eastern Illinois (Feb. 22) and Austin Peay (Feb. 24).

Saturday was Senior Day 2018 for the Murray State women's team. Before the game, the Racers honored their four seniors, Jasmine Borders, Bria Bethea, Ke'Shunan James and Mary Jones.