Late-Game Struggles Show Again For the Racers

Tuesday, January 30

CFSB Center

7 p.m.

Murray State

8-14,5-6MVC

Illinois State

11-11,5-6MVC

Illinois St.

Murray St.

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

1/30/2024 10:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Murray State Racers took on the Illinois State Redbirds on Greek Night at the CFSB Center.

The Murray State Racers suffered a second late-game setback Tuesday when they dropped a 61-59 defeat to the Illinois State Redbirds at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers (8-14) are now 5-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference as they travel to Cedar Falls to face the Northern Iowa Panthers Saturday at 1 p.m.

Quincy Anderson scored 16 points for Murray State, while Nick Ellington and JaCobi Wood each added 13 points.

Leading 26-24 after a low-scoring first half, the Racers hit a burst when Justin Morgan assisted Wood for a left corner 3-pointer to signal a 7-2 start to the second half. About a minute later, Wood returned the assist to Morgan and he drained a 3-pointer from the same spot for a 10-point lead at 17:10. Morgan tied his career-high with his third 3-pointer to put MSU in front by 15, their largest lead of the game less than four minutes into the half.

ISU produced a 12-0 run and cut the MSU lead to 48-45 with 8:33 remaining.

At the 4:16 mark, the Racers were close to committing a shot clock turnover. Morgan swooped in under the backboard and saved the ball to Wood who beat the clock with a layup. The Racers went in front by seven points. But the Redbirds persisted and took their first lead with 1:21 remaining at 58-57. The Racers had a try at tying the game at the buzzer, but Anderson's 3-point attempt was off.

Game Notes

On Greek Night at The Bank, several Murray State sororities and fraternities came out in large numbers and helped get the crowd to 5,817.
In a physical game, neither team went to the free throw line in the first half until Alden Applewhite did for the Racers at 5:53.
The Redbirds started the game by scoring their first 22 points in the paint.
As MSU held ISU to 24 points, it was the best performance for the MSU defense in a first half this season, as it bested the 26 the Racers held Austin Peay to (Dec. 9).
Morgan's 3-of-3 start to the second half from the 3-point line tied his career-high at Murray State.
He also hit three 3-pointers at Evansville on New Year's Day 2023 at the Ford Center and finished with a career-high 15 points.
MSU's game at UNI Saturday marks their second game at the McLeod Center since joining the MVC.

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. 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.