Racers Put On Defensive Display In Win Over Tech

Monday, January 24

Murray, Ky.

7 p.m.

Murray State

18-2,8-0OVC

Tennessee Tech

5-13,2-3OVC

Tennessee Tech

Murray St.

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

1/24/2022 6:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

Murray State won their 12th straight game at the CFSB Center and pushed their overall win streak to eight

The Murray State Racers improved to 8-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 79-53 victory over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. The Racers won their eighth-straight game and have a home win streak of 12 in a row at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers are 18-2 as they take on Tennessee Tech Thursday in Cookeville in a 6 p.m. tip.

KJ Williams posted his second consecutive double-double on 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Tevin Brown added 14 points and drew to within five 3-pointers of setting a new OVC career record. Justice Hill scored 11 points and dished out five assists.

After starting slow from the field, the Racers were down 11-2 a few minutes into the contest, but used a 13-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Brown, for a 16-11 lead at the 12:02 mark of the half. MSU pushed their lead to 13 at the 3:37 mark on a basket by Nicholas McMullen. The Racers enjoyed a 39-24 lead at the halftime intermission and were never threatened in the second half by outscoring Tech 40-29.

In one of their best defensive performances of the season, the Racers guarded Tech without fouling and held TTU to only three free throw attempts. MSU held TTU to 2-of-24 from the 3-point line and won the battle of the boards 46-29. The Racers scored 19 points off 15 TTU turnovers.

Game Notes

Tevin Brown hit a pair of 3-pointers tonight and now has 314 for his MSU career.
Already the MSU record holder, Brown will become the OVC record holder with six more.
The OVC record of 319 is currently held by Austin Peay's Joe Sibbitt (1994-98).
KJ Williams posted his seventh double-double this season and the 23^rd of his career.
In back-to-back outstanding games, Williams has scored 54 points on 22-of-38 from the field for 58 percent. His rebound total is 26 and 15 of those are from the offensive glass.
With two more wins, the Racers will record their 32nd 20-win season in the history of program as the 97th season is being played in 2021-22.
If the Racers reach 20 wins, Coach Matt McMahon will have his fourth and join Carlisle Cutchin (1925-41) and Steve Prohm (2011-15) for the most in program history.
McMahon's outstanding success for the Racers now has him at 141-66 (.681) in seven seasons and 83-31 (.728) in OVC games.
The Racers are nearing 300 all-time wins in the CFSB Center, now at 298-49 (.858).
McMahon's mark at The Bank in seven seasons is 84-15 (.848).

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.