Racers Break From The Gate with 20-Point Win On Opening Night

Saturday, November 9

CFSB Center

7 p.m.

Murray State

1-0,0-0OVC

Southern U.

1-1,0-0SWAC

Southern U.

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Racers Break From The Gate with 20-Point Win On Opening Night

11/9/2019 10:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box SCore (PDF)Photo Gallery

The Murray State Racers opened the 95^th season of collegiate basketball Saturday with a 69-49 victory over the visiting Southern Jaguars at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers (1-0) hit the road for a Tuesday game against the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville.

KJ Williams totaled his third career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Tevin Brown led the way in the scoring column with 17 points. MSU's third double-digit scorer was Anthony Smith with 10 points. DaQuan Smith and Jaiveon Eaves each had four assists for the Racers.

After starting the game on a 10-0 run, the Racers pushed their lead to 22-10 with 3:29 left in the first half on a three-point play from Eaves. Moments later, Tevin Brown's second 3-pointer of the first half made it a 17-point MSU lead. The Racers made it to the halftime intermission in front 30-17, marking the first time holding an NCAA D-I opponent to sub-20 points (for a first half) since holding SIUE to 17 points on Feb. 12, 2015.

MSU outscored the Jags 39-32 in the second half. Southern drew as close as 14 points with 15:07 remaining and the Racers' largest lead of 24 points posted with 1:38 left.

The final stat tally showed the Racers putting up some fantastic defensive numbers including holding SU to 14 percent from the 3-point line on 3-of-22. The Jags' first three of the game didn't come until 4:53 into the second half. MSU held SU to 31 percent from the field on 19-of-61 and won the rebound battle 45-28.

Game Notes
The Racers opened the 95^th season of collegiate basketball tonight after the first season was played in 1925-26 under coach Carlisle Cutchin. In that inaugural season, the Racers played 14 games, 11 at home, and finished 9-5.

In their 22^nd season in the CFSB Center, the Racers have now won 21 times in their home opener. The only loss was in 2014 to Houston. The Racers' first game in the arena was to start the 1998-99 season under Coach Tevester Anderson. The Racers defeated the Southern Illinois Salukis 65-62. SIU visits the Racers at the CFSB Center (Nov. 19.

Tonight was the first meeting between the Racers and Jaguars. Since 1996, the Racers have now won eight-straight games over opponents from the Southwestern Athletic Conference since 1996.

MSU held Southern to a 17-point first half marked the first time MSU held a D-I team to less than 20 at home since 2015. MSU did it three times last season at Morehead State 40-14 (2-28-19), at Southern Illinois 49-18 (12-12-18) and at Middle Tennessee 35-19 (12-8-18).

Next up for the Racers is a Tuesday game at Tennessee. The Racers are 0-3 all-time against the Vols. The first meeting was in Knoxville in 1945, which was a 57-38 score. MSU played UT at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville in 2005 and lost 64-53. The last meeting was in Knoxville in 2006 where the Racers dropped an 89-64 decision.

RACER BASKETBALL RIVALRY TICKET PACKAGE – LIMITED TIME ONLY
Murray State Athletics announced a special offer for Racer fans with a rivalry ticket package which includes some of the biggest games the Racers' men's team will play in the 2019-20 season. For a limited time, tickets to the men's rivalry games with Southern Illinois, Middle Tennessee, Belmont and Austin Peay can be purchased in a general admission ticket for only $44 for four men's and three women's games. Ticket purchases can be made by calling the CFSB Center at 270-809-3000, in person, or online at ticketmaster.com.

The rivalry ticket package includes these games at the CFSB Center in Murray.
•       Nov. 19 (M) Southern Illinois 7p
•       Dec. 7 (W) Lipscomb 5p, (M) Middle Tennessee 7p
•       Jan. 23 Belmont (W) 3p & (M) 6p
•       Feb. 29 Austin Peay (W) 5p & (M) 7p

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.

ABOUT MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
Murray State University provides opportunities for students through a high-quality education with experiential learning, academic and personal growth and the ability to secure a lifetime of success. Since 1922, the true value of higher education has been found at Murray State University, where our commitment is to develop leaders in the community, the country and the world. The University's main campus is located in Murray, Ky., and includes five regional campuses. For more information about Murray State University, please visit murraystate.edu.