Racers Breeze Past Bethel in 100th Season Opener

Monday, November 4

Murray, Ky.

7 p.m.

Murray State

1-0,0-0MVC

113

Bethel (TN)

0-1

Bethel (TN)

Murray St.

113

Photo by: Stephen Furst

11/4/2024 6:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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The Racers' 76-point winning margin is second all-time in the 27 seasons in the CFSB Center

The Murray State men's basketball team eased into the program's 100^th season Monday with an 113-37 victory over the Bethel (TN) Wildcats at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

Five Racers posted double-figure scoring games with Kylen Milton and Terence Harcum making their MSU debuts with 19 and 17 points by hitting a combined 12-of-17 from the field. JaCobi Wood added 17 points, while Justin Morgan set a his MSU career-high with 16 points. AJ Ferguson flirted with a triple-double of 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Next up for the Racers is a Friday night challenge against the Pittsburgh Panthers. The 6 p.m. Central Tip Tip marks the Racers first game at Pitt's Peterson Center since 2003.

The Racers ended the half with a 12-4 run that included a pair of cutting drives from Morgan and a three-point play from KyeRon Lindsay. Wood's 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Racers a 54-point first half on 59 percent shooting.

As the lead grew in the second half, the Racers made a run at the CFSB Center record for largest winning margin, which settled at a second-best 76 points, just two points from the record for the 27 seasons on the Racers' home court since 1998. In 2020, the Racers defeated Greenville 173-95, a 78-point margin.

Visit GoRacers.com for information in tickets, or call the CFSB Center ticket hotline at 270-809-3000.

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).

Game Notes

The Racers opened their 100th season of collegiate basketball and their 27th in the CFSB Center.
The Racers are now 87-13 all-time in season openers and 26-1 in CFSB Center openers with the only loss to Houston in 2014.
MSU hit 14 threes tonight marking the first time for that number since 2022 when MSU hit 14 against Eastern Illinois.
MSU won the battle of the boards 45-28 and managed to grab 12 offensive rebounds from their 25 missed shots.
MSU freshmen, Trey Boggess, Jordan McCullom and Chiang Ring were all smiles late in the game when they scored their first points as Racers.
Justin Morgan's 16 points marked his career-high, above the 15 points he scored against Evansville in 2023. His four made 3-pointers bested the three he made at Evansville in 2023 and home against Illinois State in 2024.
AJ Ferguson's seven assists bested his former career-high of three against Valparaiso in 2024 when he played for Southern Illinois.
The last time MSU had five players in double figure scoring was at home in 2021 against Middle Tennessee - Tre Hannibal (19), Justice Hill & KJ Williams (18), Tevin Brown (15), DJ Burns (12).
As much as the Racers showcased a balanced offense, their improved defense showed as well by limiting the Wildcats to 25 percent from the field and forcing 31 turnovers.
Before the game, MSU senior Nick Ellington was recognized for his 1000^th career points that he achieved late last season. His points have come at Meridian CC, Eastern Illinois and Murray State.
Murray State Basketball and Racer Nation honored two long standing friends and colleagues with a moment of silence before the tipoff.
The Racers mourn the passing of former assistant Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and long-time supporter Larry Suiter. Abdir-Rahim was the head coach at South Florida when he died at age 43 on Oct. 24. Amir played for Billy Kennedy and Steve Prohm at Southeastern Louisiana and led the Lions to their first NCAA appearance in 2004. He followed Kennedy and Prohm to Murray State in 2006 and started his coaching career with the Racers. Larry Suiter was 65 when he passed on Oct. 26. Part of the Suiter family that has lived and loved Racer Basketball for decades, Larry Suiter was always positive and supportive of the Racers.