Racers Take Down Texas A&M In Myrtle Beach Battle Meet UMass In Semis

Thursday, November 17

Conway, S.C.

3 p.m.

Murray State

Texas A&M

Photo by: Joel Beachum

Racers Take Down Texas A&M In Myrtle Beach Battle Meet UMass In Semis

11/17/2022 7:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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The Murray State men’s basketball opened play in the Myrtle Beach Invitational in Conway, S.C.

The Murray State Racers put together a gritty performance Thursday in a wire-to-wire 88-79 win over the No. 24 ranked Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) in the first game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational at HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina.

The Racers (2-1) move into Friday's semifinals against the UMass Minutemen with a 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time tip on ESPN2. UMass (2-1) defeated Colorado 66-63.

MSU's 53-point second half was fueled by a trio of double-figure scorers in JaCobi Wood, who posted a career-high 23 points, while Kenny White, Jr. added 18 points. MSU also got 17 points from Jamari Smith and 12 from Rob Perry.

MSU shot a blistering 50 percent in the second half on 25-of-50 from the field, including 10-of-22 from the 3-point line. Leading by eight at the 5:00 mark, the Racers hit 16-of-18 from the free throw line to hold off the Aggies for their first win over a Southeastern Conference foe since they defeated Auburn in the 2012 Charleston Classic.

The win for MSU marks their first over a team ranked in the Associated Press Top-25 since beating Saint Mary's (CA) at home in 2012 with Dick Vitale in attendance and calling the game with Dave O'Brien on ESPN.

Game Notes

The Racers had 10 fast break points in the first half and 24 for the game.
MSU was great at the end of the game from the free throw line and finished 28-of-36 for 78 percent. Perry and Wood and DJ Burns combined for 17-of-17.
JaCobi Wood's 23 points surpassed his previous career-high of 21 points at Belmont: vs UT Martin 01/09/21 and vs Howard 11/26/20.
Wood's stat line was impressive: 37:12 minutes/5-9FG/4-8(3pt)/9-9FT/2R/4A.
Wood's 9-of-9 from the free throw line is the best for a Racer since Ja Morant set the MSU record of 21-of-21 vs SIUE (01-19-2019).
Today's 63-points combined in the first half (TAMU led 35-28) was the lowest scoring first half with the Racers leading since a game at home (01-29-22) vs Morehead State when there were 61 points scored and the Racers in front 33-28. The Racers won that game at home 77-66.
Murray State Coach Steve Prohm is now 4-0 at the HTC Center. His Iowa State team won and event in 2017 at HTC going 3-0.
Including his time at Iowa State (2015-21), Coach Prohm is 21-45 all-time against ranked teams.
The win over Texas A&M is Prohm's first over a ranked team since his Iowa State team defeated No. 16 Seton Hall 76-66 at home (12-08-2019).
The Racers and UMass will be meeting for the first time on Tuesday.
UMass is the second team from the Atlantic-10 the Racers have faced this season, after meeting Saint Louis in the opener (Nov. 7).

Murray State defeats Texas A&M in game 2 of the MBI! They will play UMass tomorrow in the Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/OzFdnVCDx1
— Myrtle Beach Invitational (@MyrtleInvite) November 17, 2022

Thanks Racer Nation. Those here in Myrtle Beach and those sending great vibes! #GoRacers ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/fLdqQ2jcnh
— Murray State MBB (@RacersHoops) November 18, 2022

Rob Perry (12 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST) moves Murray State to the Semifinals on our bracket!!!! @RacersHoops pic.twitter.com/Ml0zcYfZUu
— Myrtle Beach Invitational (@MyrtleInvite) November 18, 2022