Racers Defeat SIU - Move Home Win Streak To Nine - Murray State University Athletics

Tuesday, November 19

CFSB Center

7 p.m.

Murray State

3-1,0-0OVC

Southern Illinois

2-4,0-0MVC

Southern Ill.

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Racers Defeat SIU - Move Home Win Streak To Nine

11/19/2019 9:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

The Murray State Racers blitzed the Southern Illinois Salukis with a late run to earn a 79-66 victory Tuesday for their ninth straight home win at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The win gave the Racers their third straight over SIU, the first such run since wins in 1982, 1984 and 1985.

With the game tied 47-47 with 13:03 remaining, the Racers outscored SIU 32-19 the rest of the way to improve to 3-1, while SIU fell to 2-4.

MSU's balanced attack was led by 18 points from Tevin Brown on 3-of-4 from the 3-point line. Anthony Smith hit 8-of-8 from the free throw line to finish with 14 points, while Chico Carter, Jr., added 13 points with 11 in the second half. KJ Williams had his second double-double this season with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Darnell Cowart scored 12 points to help the Racers to a 30-12 advantage over SIU in bench points.

The Racers and Salukis each hit 22 field goals for the game. However, the difference came at the free throw line where the Racers made more (30) than SIU attempted (24). MSU had its best game of the season from the line on 30-of-39 for 77 percent, while SIU hit 63 percent on 15-of-24.

With a big edge in the rebound stat at 42-30, the Racers were afforded plenty of chances to get easy points on fast breaks. MSU outscored SIU in this area of the game 21-4.

Game Notes

The Racers have won six games in a row against teams from the Missouri Valley Conference. MSU's last loss was at Evansville 78-46 on Dec. 2, 2016.
The Racers are 19-18 all-time in the series with SIU and have won the last three. MSU is 5-3 all-time against SIU at the CFSB Center.
MSU's home win streak is nine since a loss to Belmont last January. The Racers' next home game is against Middle Tennessee (Dec. 7).
MSU is 263-44 (.856) all-time at the CFSB Center in its 22^nd season.
Chico Carter scored 11 points in the second half and didn't miss. He was 3-of-3 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
KJ Williams had his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. It was his fourth of his career.
MSU's 11 3-point attempts tonight was the fewest attempts in a game since they took nine (March 2, 2016) against Eastern Illinois in the OVC Tournament.
The Racers get back into action next week with three games during Thanksgiving week at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida. Game one for the Racers (Nov. 25) is against La Salle at 6:30 p.m. CT. MSU's second game (Nov. 26) will come against either Wright State or Weber State. All games in the event will be played at Hertz Arena.
Murray State Athletics announces an exciting opportunity for Racer Basketball fans to own a piece of history through a unique auction of the old CFSB Center floor. The auction will go live at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 21). Check GoRacers.com/court.

GLOBETROTTERS VISIT CFSB CENTER - JAN. 15
After wowing fans inside the CFSB Center in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2017 and 2019, the worldwide sensation Harlem Globetrotters have announced they will return to Murray State University for a seventh time on Jan. 15, 2020. Tickets can be purchased starting ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Guests may also visit the CFSB Center ticket office, located at 1401 State Route 121 North, Murray, Ky 42071 (Lower A Entrance) or by calling 260-809-3000.