Racers Drop Tight Contest To WKU

Tuesday, November 14

Murray, Ky.

7 p.m.

Murray State

2-1,0-0MVC

Western Kentucky

2-1,0-0CUSA

Western Ky.

Murray St.

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

11/14/2023 10:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Murray State men’s team hosted Western Kentucky for the first time in 2014 as these two old rivals renewed acquaintances

The Murray State Racers dropped an 86-81 loss to the Western Kentucky Hiltoppers in their first meeting since 2014 Tuesday at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers (2-1) hit the road for Monday's first game at the Ft. Myers Tip off where they meet UNCW at 12:30 p.m. CT.

Rob Perry scored 21 points to pace four Racers in double-figure scoring as JaCobi Wood posted 14 points, Brian Moore, Jr. 13 and Shawn Walker, Jr. added 10 points.

Down 43-34 at halftime, the Racers began the second half on a 6-0 run when Perry dished to Wood for a 3-pointer at 17:56. As the MSU defense held the Hilltoppers scoreless in their first seven possessions, MSU's Walker drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game 43-43 with 16:02 remaining. A three-point by Malek Abdelgowad gave the Racers their first lead of 46-43 at 14:55 with a 14-0 run to start the second half.

The last time the Racers had the lead was at the 4:29 mark on a pair of Perry free throws for a 70-69 lead. With 2:31 remaining, Perry's scoop shot tied it at 74-74. With MSU getting two baskets from Nick Ellington down the stretch, Western held the Racers off by going 8-of-8 in the final segment from the free throw line, part of their 17-of-17 effort in the second half.

Game Notes

This was the 152^nd meeting between the Racers and WKU as the two began a four-year series with each team playing at home twice.
MSU and WKU have met 24 times as a non-conference game with MSU winning 13.
A crowd of 5,677 watched it at the CFSB Center.
MSU's home win streak at the CFSB Center ends at four and their win home streak in non-conference games ends at 27. The last loss for the Racers was in 2017 to Auburn.
JaCobi Wood moved closer to the career 1,000-point mark. He now has 920 points.
In his first significant action for the Racers, newcomer Malek Abdelgowad played 11 minutes with five points and six rebounds.
The Racers get two games in Fort Myers next week on Monday vs UNCW and Wednesday against Appalachian State. The event takes place at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the home court of Florida SouthWestern State College.

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