Racers Drop OT Thriller To UNCW at Fort Myers Tipoff

Monday, November 20

Fort Myers, Fla.

12:30 p.m.

Murray State

2-2,0-0MVC

UNC Wilmington

4-0,0-0CAA

OT 1

Murray St.

UNCW

Photo by: Ben Nichols

11/20/2023 6:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

The Murray State men’s team began play at the Fort Myers Tipoff at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Murray State Racers battled the UNCW Seahawks, led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but lost in overtime 83-81 in overtime at the Fort Myers Tipoff at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Florida.

The Racers (2-2) get back on the court in Fort Myers Wednesday (Nov. 22) against Appalachian State in an 11 a.m. Central Time tip.

Leading by seven points with 2:06 remaining, The Racers lost their lead in final minute, but got it back again when Nick Ellington scored with 1.7 seconds left for a 72-70 lead. On the ensuing long pass to the UNCW front court, MSU's Rob Perry was called for a controversial foul that put Maleeck Harden-Hayes to the line with 1.6 left where he tied the game and forced overtime.

The Racers' only lead in overtime came with 4:49 left when Ellington made a free throw for a 73-72 lead. UNCW took the lead for good at 3:53 remaining and pushed to a six-point lead with 53 seconds left.

JaCobi Wood led the Racers by tying his career-high with 24 points including six 3-point baskets, also a career-high. Rob Perry added 20 to the Racers' attack, while Nick Ellington added 15 and Brian Moore, Jr., with 12.

In the first half, from the 7:01 mark, the Racers put together a 13-0 run fueled by holding the Seahawks to 1-of-7 from the field. One ingredient of the MSU surge was going 6-of-6 from the free throw line and the other was Perry who hit his first 3-pointer. The Racers had a 37-35 lead at the halftime intermission.

Game Notes

With two teams that like to get up and down the floor, the first stoppage in play at the start of the game wasn't until the first foul was called at 14:12.
Losing a game when leading at the 5:00 mark has been very rare for the Racers as they are now 53-7 since 2020.
This overtime game marked the Racers' first since beating Valparaiso at home 77-76 (02-26-23).
This game was MSU's first overtime affair at a regular season tournament since beating Southern Mississippi in double-overtime 90-81 to win the Great Alaska Shootout championship in Anchorage (11-26-11).
Since 1976, the Racers are 33-35 in overtime and 5-6 at Neutral sites.
JaCobi Wood tied his career-high with 24 points today. He also scored 24 against Chicago State (12-13-22) and UMass (11-18-22).
Wood also set his personal mark with six 3-point baskets, the same as against Lipscomb (12-02-21).
The Racers meet Appalachian State for the first time in program history on Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT.

Follow the Racers on Twitter (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State men's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersHoops).