Balanced Scoring Pushes Racers Past UIC

Tuesday, January 2

CFSB Center

7 p.m.

Murray State

5-9,2-1MVC

UIC

7-7,0-3MVC

UIC

Murray St.

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

1/2/2024 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Brian Moore’s 20 bench points leads group of five Racers in double-digit scoring

The Murray State Racers used a good defensive second half for the second time in a week to gain another home win 85-73 over the UIC Flames at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers (5-9) moved to 2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference as they head for Evansville Saturday to face the Purple Aces and in search of their first road win of the season in a 1 p.m. at the Ford Center.

Brian Moore, Jr., led five MSU players in double-digit scoring with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 6-of-8 from the free throw line, while JaCobi Wood added 17 points and five assists. Rob Perry and Alden Applewhite each scored 14 points and Quincy Anderson scored 11.

After a 43-43 at halftime tie, the Racers finally got the separation they desired with a 7-0 run, all from Wood on a 3-pointer and a pair of slick drives to the rim for a 67-57 lead with 8:00 remaining. After UIC cut the lead to four at 6:07, Applewhite's steal and dunk and Perry's 3-pointer pushed the Racers back in front by 12 points 78-66 with 3:21 left.

The Racers soothed the sting of UIC's nine 3-pointers in the first half by making 14-of-16 from the free throw line to keep the game in a deadlock.

Game Notes

MSU had 26 bench points in the first half, with Alden Applewhite pouring in 10 points (3-3FG, 1-1 3PT, 3-3FT).
MSU finished with a season-high 39 bench points, with 34 from Applewhite and Moore.
Moore's night marked the first 20-point bench game for a Murray State player since Quincy Anderson this season at Illinois State when Quincy Anderson scored 27 against the Redbirds.
This is not the first time Moore has come off the bench to score 20, he did it against UIC last season (01-14-23) with 21 points.
Kudos went to Sam Murray who had a good night subbing for Nick Ellington who was in foul trouble. Murray played 21:51, grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and hit 3-of-3 from the free throw line. Murray's previous best was seven rebounds also against UIC (01-14-23).
The Racers went into the bonus at 11:01 in the second half.
MSU's 18-of-23 from the free throw line (.783) marked their fourth game this season of 75 percent or better from the line with 19 or more attempts.
Quincy Anderson was 3-of-3 from the free throw line today and has hit 15 in a row, while teammate JaCobi Wood has hit 13 straight.
Anderson extended his streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to eight. MSU's all-time record is 40, held by MSU Hall of Famer Isaiah Canaan from 2012-13.
With wins over Bradley and UIC and a loss to Illinois State, the Racers have outscored their MVC opponents 48-29 from the free throw line. MSU is 48-of-64 (.750).
Looking to improve their defense of the 3-point shot, the Racers have held MTSU and UIC in the last two games to 17-of-56 (.304), while hitting 15-of-34 (.441).
in the last two games, JaCobi Wood is scoring 17.5ppg on 80 percent from the field (12-of-15), 6-of-7 from the 3-point line (.857) and hasn't missed in five tries from the free throw line. Wood also has grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out nine assists.

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.