RacerDave's History Lesson - Singleton's Amazing Game In 2003

On episode 12 of Racer Dave's history lesson, James Singleton is back in the spotlight as we remember his outstanding performance Feb. 13, 2003 for the Murray State men's basketball team.

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There are some games that are hard believe, and you probably wouldn't, unless you watched it in person as the 3,512 fans did on this night at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.

The Racers hosted the Eastern Illinois Panthers and Singleton set the program record for best 3-point percentage in a single game by making eight threes in eight attempts. His game also set the Ohio Valley Conference record previously was held by UT Martin's Okechi Egbe of 7-of-7 from a game in 2000.

At the 15:00 mark of the first half, Singleton hit his first 3-pointer and quickly added his second and third long basket at the 14:39 and 13:58 marks. With 8:05 remaining in the half, he hit another and made it 5-of-5 in the opening half with a three at the 5:28 mark. In the first half, the Racers led the Panthers 46-30 and Singleton had scored 25 points.

In the second half, Singleton hit three additional 3-point baskets at the 17:47 mark and also at 8:05 and 6:18 to propel the Racers to an easy 96-77 victory.

Singleton's stat line was simply amazing with a career-high 37 points on 14-of-16 shooting, including 8-of-8 from 3-point distance. He also tied his own arena record with 18 rebounds and did it all in 32 minutes of playing time. His 8-of-8 far surpassed the previous Murray State mark of 3-of-3 by several Racers, the most recent was by Kevin Paschel at Nebraska on Dec. 30, 2000.

Singleton wasn't considered much of a 3-point threat. Entering this night against EIU, he had made only 16 threes in 46 career games with the Racers (16-of-30). This game remains memorable, because nobody saw it coming. Additionally, this night did not give way to a multiple-game run of threes either. Singleton only made 2-of-12 in his final seven games as a Racer.

Since Singleton's game in 2003, the Racers have had two players make 6-of-6 in a single game. Isaiah Canaan did it against UT Martin on Jan. 29, 2011 and Darnell Hopkins against EIU on Jan. 9, 2006. Terrell Miller went 5-of-5 against Marist on Dec. 16, 2017 for the best recent game for the Racers in single-game 3-point percentage.

One of the top players in the Ohio Valley Conference from (2001-03), James Singleton joined Coach Tevester Anderson's team after two seasons at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi (1999-01). Singleton was a two-time All-OVC selection for the Racers in scoring 811 points (13.5ppg) and hauling in 632 rebounds (10.5) in 60 games. As of 2021, his 632 rebounds is first all-time at MSU among two-year players and his 811 points is 12^th. He led the OVC in back-to-back seasons in rebound average, something no Racer has accomplished since.

James Singleton went to to enjoy a professional basketball career that spanned 14 years from 2003-17. He spent time with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers (2005-07), Dallas Mavericks (2008-10) and Washington Wizards (2012). He also found longevity playing basketball in China, South Korea and Italy.

Murray State University Athletics

RacerDave's History Lesson - Singleton's Amazing Game In 2003

Players Mentioned

Isaiah Canaan

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