97th Season Gets Underway With Exhibition Win Over Brescia

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

97th Season Gets Underway With Exhibition Win Over Brescia

11/1/2021 10:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball

The Racers welcomed back full capacity To the CFSB Center for the first time since 2020

The 97^th season of collegiate men's basketball began with a 95-41 exhibition win for the Murray State Racers against the Brescia Bearcats at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers saw 11 players reach the scoring column, led by a 17-point/12-rebound performance by newcomer DJ Burns and 16 points from KJ Williams. Tevin Brown scored 13 points and Nicholas McMullen added 10 points to give MSU four in double-figures.

After starting the game 12-0, the Racers eventually pushed their lead to 49-20 by halftime. The Racers outscored the Bearcats 46-21 in the second half for the 95-41 win.

The Racers managed to shoot a blistering 55 percent from the field (39-of-71), while hitting 5-of-14 from the 3-point line for 36 percent and 63 percent from the free throw line on 12-of-19. MSU held a commanding 57-22 edge on the boards and dished out 20 assists. MSU also made 16 steals.

With the exhibition game in the books, the Racers' next action is the regular season opener at home (Nov. 9) against the Cumberland (TN) Phoenix. Looking ahead on the Racers' November schedule, MSU Hall of Fame Day sees the team honor the 2021 class that has two from men's basketball, Coach Tevester Anderson and Vincent Rainey. The two will be honored during the game as the Racers host Bellarmine (Nov. 13). MSU's first road trip is at Illinois State (Nov. 16). Thanksgiving week, the Racers play three games in three days (Nov. 22-25) at the Naples Invitational in Naples, Florida.

Monday's exhibition game was a historic night when new Brescia coach Sarah Gayler became the first women to be head coach of a men's basketball team in the 84-year history of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Gayler was recognized just before the game tipped off. She came to Brescia after working for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. She played at the University of New Orleans. Gayler also serves as Brescia's director of athletics.

Mini-Ticket Plans Available
Fans can purchase season tickets and the Navy & Gold Mini ticket plans at Racer Mania. The mini plans are a great way for Racer Nation to enjoy Murray State games with general admission tickets. Each mini plan is $50 for one general admission ticket to five games. All of the games offered in the ticket plans are doubleheaders except for the stand-alone men's game vs Middle Tennessee (Dec. 4). Call the ticket office at (270) 809-3000 to purchase a ticket plan.

NAVY TICKET PLAN
Dec. 4, 2021     Sat.     Middle Tennessee
Dec. 30, 2021   Thu.     Southeast Missouri (DH)
Jan. 22, 2022   Sat.     UT Martin (DH)
Jan. 29, 2022   Sat.     Morehead State (DH)
Feb. 17, 2022    Thu.     Austin Peay (DH)

GOLD TICKET PLAN
Dec. 18, 2021    Sat.     Chattanooga (WBB vs Lipscomb)
Jan. 1, 2022      Sat.     Tennessee Tech (DH)
Jan. 20, 2022   Thu.     Eastern Illinois (DH)
Feb. 5, 2022     Sat.     SIUE (DH)
Feb. 24, 2022   Thu.     Belmont (DH)

Racer Basketball Legacy Fund
The new fundraising initiative invites Racer supporters to have a lasting impact on the Murray State men's and women's basketball programs. Those interested in learning more about how you can support the Racer Basketball Legacy Fund initiative may contact Director of Development-Athletics, Taylor Mudd at (270) 809-3517 or tmudd3@murraystate.edu for more information.