Second Half Shutdown – Racers Muscle Past MTSU - Murray State University Athletics

Saturday, December 30

Murray, Ky.

3 p.m.

Murray State

4-9,1-1MVC

Middle Tennessee

5-9,0-0CUSA

Middle Tenn.

Murray St.

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

Second Half Shutdown – Racers Muscle Past MTSU

12/30/2023 6:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Murray State finished up the non-conference schedule with a home win over Middle Tennessee

The Murray State Racers scored a 75-54 victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The win for the Racers (4-9) stops a losing skid and vaults them into the next 18 games in the rugged Missouri Valley Conference. At 1-1 in MVC play, the Racers stay at home (Jan. 2) to host the UIC Flames Tuesday in the first game of 2024.

JaCobi Wood stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points on 6-8 shooting (3-of-3 3PT) with six rebounds and four assists, while Nick Ellington was a pair of rebounds from a double-double with 17 points. Rob Perry scored 13 points with a team-high five assists.

The Racers have been searching for better defense and found it in the second half against MTSU when they held the visitors to 28 percent shooting (6-of-21), including 23 percent from the 3-point line (3-of-13). MSU's push of a 16-4 second half start was punctuated by Wood's 3-pointer at 14:20 to get the Racers in front by 14 points. MTSU got as close as eight points with 8:40, but MSU slammed the door with 3:21 left to go up 68-50 after Perry hit a 3-pointer and assisted Sam Murray on a fast break.

Game Notes

Justin Morgan made his first start as a Racer in his 41st career game.
At halftime, the Racers had five players with six points or more and led MTSU 35-31.
Quincy Anderson was 4-of-4 from the free throw line today and has the Racers' first double-digit streak this season at 12 in a row.
Anderson extended his streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to seven.
MSU's all-time record is 40, held by MSU Hall of Famer Isaiah Canaan from 2012-13.
Ellington and Perry combined for five of MSU's 10 steals, marking back-to-back games with 10 steals for the team.
MSU's 21-point winning margin marks their highest against an NCAA D-I team this season.
MSU's defense held the Blue Raiders to a 23-point second half, MSU's best of any half this season.
The Racers forced MTSU into 18 turnovers and produced the same off of them in points.
Murray State coach Steve Prohm is now 2-2 all-time against MTSU.
When the Racers host UIC Tuesday, they'll meet the Flames for just the second time as MVC members. MSU won their only meeting last season at home 81-64.
This season (Jan. 17) the Racers make their first appearance in The Valley in Chicago against the Flames.

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).

It's time to think about purchasing tickets to 2024 State Farm Arch Madness (March 7-10) in St. Louis, Missouri. The Enterprise Center is set to host the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament which will be staged in the Gateway City for a 34th consecutive time. Through Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, Racer fans get a discounted price of $175 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased through the Murray State ticket office at the CFSB Center, by calling (270) 809-3000 or online through GoRacers.com and TicketMaster.com.