Racers Clinch Tourney Trip - Defeat EIU - Murray State University Athletics

Thursday, February 22

Charleston, Ill.

5:15 p.m.

Murray State

11-17, 7-10

Eastern Illinois

2-26, 1-16

Murray St.

Eastern Illinois

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Racers Clinch Tourney Trip - Defeat EIU

2/22/2018 7:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

The Murray State women clinched a spot in next week's OVC Tournament behind the strength of a 70-63 victory Thursday night at Eastern Illinois. MSU (11-17, 7-10 OVC) have now won two in a row and can secure the No. 7 seed with a win Saturday at Austin Peay.

Although it was a poor shooting night for the Racers, who hit just 39.7 percent from the floor and went 6-of-17 from 3-point range, MSU made seven more free throws than Eastern Illinois (2-26, 1-16) did in the victory. EIU hit 45 percent from the field on the night.

MSU jumped out to an early 12-2 lead in the first quarter Thursday night before the Panthers were able to chip away and cut the lead to 19-14 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Racers hit just five field goals found themselves trailing 34-33 at halftime.

An 8-2 run to open the second half put MSU up by five, 41-36 with 6:02 to go. However, EIU would again respond to take a 44-43 lead before the two teams went to the fourth tied 46-46.

Brianna Crane scored the Racers' first five points in the fourth quarter to make it 51-46 Racers with 8:05 left to play. MSU wouldn't relinquish the lead from there on and pushed its lead to as many as nine points several times in the quarter. The Racers would salt the game away late at the free-throw line, making nine free throws the final three minutes of the game.

Bria Bethea led the Racers on the night with 19 points. Ke'Shunan James added 15 points, six boards and five assists while Jasmine Borders chipped in with 13 points and made a trio of 3-pointers. Crane notched her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 boards.

Both teams scored 22 points in the paint on the night and MSU had a slim 9-8 edge on second-chance points and out-rebounded the Panthers 34-32. The Racers did outscore the Panthers 14-9 on points off turnovers as EIU was forced into 18 miscues.

MSU closes the regular season with a road trip Saturday at rival Austin Peay. The 4:30 p.m., contest will be a Heritage Bank Battle of the Border game.