Griffith-Wallace, Crane Lead Racers Past JSU

Thursday, January 31

Jacksonville, Ala.

11:30 a.m.

Murray State

7-13, 3-6OVC

Jacksonville State

9-11, 3-6OVC

Murray St.

Jacksonville St.

1/31/2019 4:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)PHOTO GALLERY

A career-high 25 points from Janika Griffith-Wallace and a season-high 20 points from Brianna Crane helped push the Murray State women's basketball team past Jacksonville State, 64-59, Thursday afternoon at Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville, Alabama.

The game was back-and-forth from start to finish with nine ties, nine lead changes and the largest lead by either team being just seven points. Despite the see-saw battle, the Racers were able to take a four-point lead into the locker room at the break. However, in the third the Gamecocks battled back and outscored MSU, 20-11, to take a five-point lead headed into the final 10 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, the Racers were able to limit to the Gamecocks to just three field goals and make free throws down the stretch, including going 5-for-6 in the final 30 seconds. Murray State outscored Jacksonville State, 17-7, in the final stanza and held on for the five point win. The win moves the Racers 7-13 on the year, 3-6 in league play and positions the Racers in a three-way tie for the eighth and final OVC tournament spot with nine games to play.

In addition to Griffith-Wallace and Crane, Evelyn Adebayo also played a key role by pulling down a game-high 15 boards to go along with eight points. Finishing with just eight points put an end to a streak of seven consecutive double-doubles by the junior, placing her in a tie with Stephanie Minor for the school record. Meanwhile, Lex Mayes finished the game with six points, while Macey Turley had five to round out the scoring for the Racers.

Murray State returns to action Saturday evening in Cookeville when it takes on league-leading Tennessee Tech at 5:30 p.m.