Strong Second Half Pushes Racers Past Tech

Thursday, January 27

Cookeville, Tenn.

6 p.m.

Murray State

19-2,9-0OVC

Tennessee Tech

5-14,2-4OVC

Murray St.

Tennessee Tech

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

1/27/2022 5:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Murray State won their sixth road game of the season at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville

The Murray State Racers kept their undefeated run going in the Ohio Valley Conference with an 80-75 win against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. The Racers (19-2, 9-0) pushed their overall win streak to nine in a row Thursday night at the Eblen Center in Cookeville.

The Racers got a pair of double-doubles from KJ Williams and Justice Hill. Williams scored his eighth double-double this season and third consecutive on 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Hill scored 20 points with 10 assists. Tevin Brown added 13 points and is three 3-point baskets from setting a new OVC career record. Trae Hannibal added 12 points and six rebounds off the MSU bench.

After trailing by two at the half, the Racers used a stout defensive effort in the second half in outscoring TTU 46-39 to keep their winning ways in 2022.

Daquan Smith's mid-range jumper and a 3-pointer from Williams keyed an 11-2 run for MSU to build a 60-49 lead with 10:05 left. Hill hit his third three of the game to put the Racers in front 65-55 with 6:41 remaining. Tech cut the MSU lead to five points with 15 seconds left, but the Racers held on for their sixth road win of the season.

The Racers come home Saturday for a showdown of OVC undefeated teams when the Morehead State Eagles visit the CFSB Center in Murray for a 4 p.m. tip.

Game Notes

Tevin Brown began the night five 3-pointers from setting an OVC career record. He hit three against TTU and now has 317. Already the MSU record holder, Brown will become the OVC record holder with three more. The OVC record of 319 is currently held by Austin Peay's Joe Sibbitt (1994-98).
KJ Williams's third-straight double-double is producing some outstanding stats. In the three games, he's scored 74 points on 29-of-51 from the field for 57 percent. His rebound total is 39 and 20 of those are from the offensive glass.
Justice Hill's double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds was his first this season and the second of his career. He also had no turnovers in 35:26 on the floor.
With Hill and Williams each scoring 20 points, it marks the fourth time this season the Racers have done it.
The other three were: Hill (26), Williams (21) vs SEMO (12-30-21), Brown (22), Hill (20) at Memphis (12-13-21) and Brown (21), Williams (32) vs Cumberland (11-09-21).
This the second time in the season in which the Racers have two players with a double=double. The other was KJ Williams 18p/12r & DJ Burns 12p/15r
vs Middle Tennessee (12-04-21).
The Racers are one win from securing their 32nd 20-win season in the history of the 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 143-66 (.684) in seven seasons and 84-31 (.730) 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).
The Racers host Morehead State in a 4 p.m. Saturday at The Bank. The Eagles won at Southeast Missouri State tonight 74-73 in overtime and are 8-0 in OVC play.
The Racer coaching staff wore special warm up jackets tonight to support the 2022 effort by the American Cancer Society and their Coaches vs. Cancer - Suits And Sneakers Week.
Coaches vs Cancer has a main goal in 2022 of reminding people that cancer hasn't stopped because of the Covid pandemic. Therefore, the fight against cancer is more important than ever. The American Cancer Society reminds everyone to resume necessary treatments and screenings.

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.