Racers Take Down EIU in OT Thriller

Thursday, January 30

Murray, Ky.

5 p.m.

Murray State

10-10,3-6OVC

Eastern Illinois

11-9,5-4OVC

Team	1	2	3	4	OT 1	F
Eastern Ill.	20	12	25	21	9	87
Murray St.	17	26	13	22	14	92

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

1/30/2020 8:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)Photo Gallery

After Macie Gibson nailed a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime, the Murray State women's basketball team went eight-for-nine at the free throw line in the extra period to finish off Eastern Illinois, 92-87, at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

At the CFSB Center on Thursday night, the Murray State women's basketball team battled till the overtime buzzer against Eastern Illinois to secure their 10^th win of the season with a final score of 92-87. The win marks the second consecutive overtime victory over the Panthers, as Murray State defeated Eastern Illinois, 60-51, last season at home.

A slow start for the Racers turned into a back and forth scoring frenzy as Murray State outscored EIU, 26-12, at the end of the second quarter. However, the Panthers battled back to outscore Murray State, 25-13, to end the third quarter and take a one-point advantage into the fourth.

Down five with a minute to go in the fourth, Alexis Burpo weaved through defenders to grab a layup and cut EIU's lead to three, 78-75. After the Panthers turned the ball over under their own goal, Murray State raced down the court with four seconds to go Macey Turley hit Macie Gibson who knocked down her second three of the night to tie the game at 78. In overtime, Murray State sealed the win by outscoring Eastern Illinois, 14-9, thanks, in part, to an 8-for-9 clip at the free throw line.

For the second time in as many games, the Racers had three players record double-doubles in the contest, becoming only the second Division I team this season, along with Cal, to accomplish the feat. In addition to the three double-doubles, two other players reached double figures to give the Racers five for the game.

Alexis Burpo led Murray State with 21 points and 10 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double third. Laci Hawthorne also had a double-double, notching her fourth of the season with 20 points and 13 boards. Gibson rounded out the three Racers with double-doubles on the night with 14 points and career-best 10 rebounds. Lex Mayes was 4-for-10 from 3-point range to end the night with 20 points, while Raegan Blackburn came off the bench to go 3-for-8 from beyond-the-arc to finish with 11.

The Racers look to make it three wins in a row Saturday they take on SIUE at the CFSB Center. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.