Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Samford
Players Mentioned
Racers Return Home To Host Samford Friday
12/17/2019 4:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Date (Time): Dec. 20 (6 p.m.)
Opponent: Samford
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (CFSB Center)
Audio: WNBS 1340 AM (PxP: Jeremy Rose)
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersWBB
MUR Record (Streak): 6-3 (Lost 1)
SAM Record (Streak): 3-9 (Lost 3)
All-Time Series vs. SAM (Streak): Racers lead 6-3 (Won 2)
All-Time Series in Murray (Streak): Racers lead 4-0 (Won 4)
First Meeting: W 71-61 (January 15, 2004; Murray, Ky.)
Last Meeting: W 68-56 (March 7, 2008; Nashville, Tenn.)
Last Five vs. SAM: 4-1 (WWLWW)
MUR Next Game: Dec. 25 vs. Cumberland (Tenn.)
MUR Next Home Game: Dec. 20 vs. Samford
The Game
The Murray State women's basketball team returns home for the final two games of its non-conference slate, beginning with Samford Friday at the CFSB Center at 6 p.m.
Last Time Out
Despite outscoring Southern Illinois in each of the final three quarters Sunday, the Racers couldn't overcome a 25-11 first quarter deficit, eventually falling 76-66, at the Banterra Center in Carbondale. Murray State outscored the Salukis, 55-51, over the final three quarters of the game, but it was ultimately a 16-4 start to the game that doomed the Racers. A Macey Turley three with 3:37 to play trimmed the lead to just five in the waning minutes, but that would be as close as Murray State would get as SIU held on, putting an end to a five-game win streak by the Racers in the process.
Turley finished the game one point shy of her career-high with 31, including another perfect performance at the free throw line at 8-for-8. The sophomore also led a Murray State team that shot 50-percent from 3-point range with a career-high five 3-pointers. Macie Gibson followed with eight points for MSU, while Lex Mayes, Alexis Burpo and Laci Hawthorne each had seven. Burpo also led the Racers on the glass in the game with nine, while Turley was next with six.
The Samford Series
Friday will be the 10th overall meeting between Murray State and Samford and the first since the Bulldogs left the OVC after the 2008 season. The Racers won six of the nine meeting during the Bulldogs' tenure in the OVC including all four at the CFSB Center.
Scouting The Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are currently 3-9 on the season after dropping a tough 88-84 loss to Western Kentucky Sunday. Samford is currently averaging 67.0 points per game while 40.3-percent from the floor, 31.4-percent from 3-point range and 68.8-percent from the free throw line.
In contrast, opponents are averaging 72.7 points per game with a 42.6 field goal percentage and a 36.1 3-point field goal percentage. Sarah Myers currently leads the way for Samford with team-highs of 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds, while Natalie Armstrong follows at 12.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Something About That Day
Friday will be the 10th meeting between Samford and Murray State and will inexplicably be the third played on December 20. The Racers will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself however, as they have lost both previous meetings on 12/20.
Protect This House
Murray State is currently undefeated at home so far this season. In addition, the Racers enter Friday's matchup on an eight-game home winning streak after starting this season 3-0 at The Bank and winning the last five home games of last season as well.
History Repeating
Macey Turley is currently on a streak of 18 consecutive made free throws, her second extended streak of the season. To break into the top five, she will need 10 more makes in order to tie her streak from earlier this season at 28. Turley is currently shooting 94.8-percent at line on the year which is the fourth best percentage in the nation.
Prestigious Company
After receiving her second straight OVC Player of the Week honor Tuesday, Macey Turley is now just the third Racer since the award began in 1978-79 to earn the accolade in back-to-back weeks. MSU Hall of Famer Ashley N. Hayes and former OVC Player of the Year Ke'Shunnan James are the only other Murray State players to accomplish the feat.
