Second-Half Rally Not Enough Against Bruins

Saturday, January 30

Murray, Ky.

4:30 p.m.

Murray State

8-9,5-7OVC

Belmont

7-4,4-2OVC

Belmont

Murray St.

1/30/2021 8:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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MSU cut a 20-point first-half lead to just four in second

The Murray State women's basketball team never quit Saturday against Belmont, but the effort was not enough to prevent a 66-54 Bruin win at the CFSB Center.

The Racers were just not able to find the bucket Saturday, as they only scored seven field goals in the half despite shooting around 30-percent from both the floor and 3-point range. Belmont was able to take advantage of the poor shooting by the Racers and used their own 48.3 percent shooting a 21-1 run to push the lead out to 20. Murray State made a 7-3 run to end the half, but were only able to cut the lead to 16 before halftime.

In the second half, the two teams went back and forth at the beginning of the third quarter before Murray State ended the third quarter on a 10-1 run to cut the lead to six. The Racers eventually cut the lead to four with just over eight minutes to play, but that would be as close as they got, as Belmont outscored them 17-9 from that point to secure the win.

For the second consecutive game, Hannah McKay, Macey Turley and Katelyn Young each finished with the same total in the points column. McKay led the way with 12, while Young and Turley had 11 each. McKay also led MSU in the rebound column with eight, while Laci Hawthorne followed with seven and Turley and Young added six a piece.[

With January behind them, the Racers will open February on the road next week with a trip to the other side of the Commonwealth. On Thursday, Murray State will travel to Morehead State, followed by a clash with Eastern Kentucky Saturday. Thursday's tip against the Eagles is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT, while Saturday's game at EKU will begin at 1 p.m. ET, Noon CT. Both games are currently scheduled to be broadcast live on ESPN+, WNBS 97.9 FM and the Zeno Radio app.