Racers Host Eastern Illinois In Rare OVC Double Dip

Opponent: Eastern Illinois Panthers
Site (Venue): Charleston, Ill. (Lantz Arena)
Date/Game Time: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2022/7 p.m.
Audio: WFGS Froggy 103.7FM (PxP: Neal Bradley Analyst: Kenny Roth)
TV(Live Streaming): None(ESPN+)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com/Coverage
Twitter In Game: @MSURacers
MUR Record (Streak): 15-2, 5-0 (Won 5)
EIU Record (Streak): 2-14, 0-3 (Lost 7)
MUR Last Game: Won 72-46 at EIU (Jan. 17)
EIU Last Game: Lost 72-46 at home vs MUR (Jan. 17)
All-Time Series vs. EIU: Racers lead 50-14 (27-4 at home)
First Meeting: 1981 Home Racers Won 71-70
Last Meeting: Lost 68-59 -26 Neutral 97-71
Last Five vs EIU: MSU trails 2-3
Next MSU Game: Jan. 27 home vs Tennessee Tech
Next MSU Road Game: Jan. 27 vs Tennessee Tech

Racers Host Eastern Illinois For Rare Double Dip
It's only happened four times for the Racers in Ohio Valley Conference regular season play. That is the Racers playing a league opponent in back-to-back games. The Racers host the Eastern Illinois Panthers Thursday for the second time this week. The tip time is set for 7 p.m. at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. The day is the second game of a doubleheader day at the Bank. The MSU women's team plays the first game at 5 p.m.

In checking the 74 seasons of OVC basketball, the Racers have played back-to-back regular season games only four times. The first instance was in the first season of the OVC in 1949 when the Racers split with Morehead State and the second pair happened in 1961 with two wins over the Eagles. It happened again in 1971 and 1988 against Austin Peay. In 1971, the Racers won both games and they split in 1988. So here we are 34 years later and the Racers and Panthers are playing twice in a week.

The Racers (15-2, 5-0 OVC) return to their home court having won nine in a row and five in a row since their last loss at Auburn (Dec. 22).

Justice Hill OVC Player of the Week
Justice Hill became the sixth OVC Player of the Week winner for the Racers following his 36-point outburst at Belmont last Saturday. His 36 points is the highest scoring game in the OVC this season as he bested the 34 points Eric Reed, Jr., had against Austin Peay (Jan. 1). Hill is the 34th Racer in program history to score 36 points or more.

Brown New 3-Point King At MSU
Tevin Brown set a new record for made 3-point baskets in the Racers' win Monday at EIU. The record had been held by MSU Hall of Famer Isaiah Canaan who starred for the Racers from 2009-13 with 304. Brown now has 307 threes at Murray State. With the Murray State record of 307 and a lot of basketball yet to be played, Brown has the OVC record of 319 in his reach, set by Austin Peay's Joe Sibbitt from 1994-98.

Coach Ron Greene Day Saturday
Racer Nation celebrates the life and career of Coach Ron Greene Saturday when MSU hosts UT Martin. Greene was 82 when he passed away March 31, 2021. He played for legend Cal Luther in the 1960's and came back in 1978 to bring the Racers into the modern era. His Racers posted back-to-back OVC titles (1981-82 & 1982-83). Coach Greene had 119 wins, which was third all-time at MSU and he was a two-time OVC Coach of the Year (1980 & 1983). He coached two OVC Player of the Year winners: Gary Hooker (1980) and Glenn Green (1983). Lamont Sleets (MSU Hall of Fame 1987) was a Greene recruit. All-OVC performers John Randall (1979), Kenny Hammonds (1979), Ricky Hood (1982) and Craig Talley (1985) all played for Coach Greene.

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.

Harlem Globetrotters Coming To CFSB Center – Feb. 2
The worldwide sensation Harlem Globetrotters have announced they will return to Murray State University for an eighth time on February 2, 2022 beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Guests may also visit the CFSB Center ticket office, located at 1401 State Route 121 North, Murray, Ky 42071 (Lower A Entrance). For more information, please contact the CFSB Center ticket hotline at 270-809-3000.

Racers Selected For Two Home Games On ESPNU
The Murray State men's basketball is hosting a pair of televised home games on ESPNU as announced by the Ohio Valley Conference for the 2021-22 season. The Racers will appear on ESPNU (Feb. 17) when they host the Austin Peay Governors at the CFSB Center in a 6 p.m. tip. The second game happens at home (Feb. 24) against the Belmont Bruins in a tip off of 8 p.m. Both of the TV games for the Racers come on Thursday nights. The OVC schedule has a total of nine total men's basketball televised games (six regular season contests and three OVC Tournament games) to be aired by one of the ESPN networks during the 2021-22 season. This includes three nights of coverage at the OVC Tournament (March 4-5) at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.

About Murray State Athletics
Located in Murray, Kentucky, the athletics department of Murray State University is a NCAA Division I member and plays in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Racers have 15 programs including men's teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, football and golf and women's teams for basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball, as well as a mixed gender rifle team. Currently a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers will join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2022.

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Players Mentioned

Tevin Brown

Justice Hill

Murray State University