Late Lead Slips Away In OT Loss at WKU

Saturday, December 14

Bowling Green, KY.

1 p.m.

Murray State

6-3,1-0MVC

Western Kentucky

7-3,0-0CUSA

OT 1

Murray St.

Western Ky.

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

12/14/2024 5:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Murray State Racers led most of the day against long-time rival Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday, but couldn't close out a late lead and lost 81-76 in overtime at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.

The Racers (6-3) play their second game in the Missouri Valley Conference when they travel to Terre Haute to meet the Indiana State Sycamores on Wednesday. Tip time at the Hulman Center is set for 6 p.m. Central Time.

JaCobi Wood led the Racers with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Nick Ellington added 15 points and seven rebounds to the MSU attack. AJ Ferguson added 13 points and became a third MSU player to have a team-high seven rebounds.

Coming out of the half time intermission with a 39-33 lead, the Racers started the second half on 1-of-8 shooting and WKU took the lead at 15:54 on three-straight 3-pointers to push in front 45-42.

MSU produced an 18-6 run and regained the lead and pushed to an eight-point advantage with 7:00 remaining, but couldn't bring the win home.

Both teams missed chances to win the game in the final seconds of regulation time, so the Racers and Hilltoppers were headed to overtime for the first time in their series since a double-overtime game in Bowling Green in 2003.

MSU's last lead was produced with 1:33 left on Ferguson's fast break finish to make it 74-71. WKU outscored the Racers 10-2 the rest of the way to the win.

In the first half, the Racers hit a sweet spot on defense and held WKU scoreless for just shy of seven minutes, while limiting the Hilltoppers to zero points over the period of 10-straight possessions. MSU had their largest lead on KyeRon Lindsay's jumper 22-10 at 9:43. Wood hit a pair of 3-pointers and Ellington scored on a dish from Kylen Milton to give the Racers a 39-33 lead at the halftime intermission.

Game Notes

The game marked the Racers' first game at WKU's Diddle Arena since 2013.
The Racers are now 2-4 in Diddle since 2003.
MSU and the WKU have played 25 times as a non-conference game since 2033 and the Racers have 13 wins and WKU was.
The two teams played the first six minute with no fouls, but 18 fouls called in the final 14 minutes.
MSU's 10 steals was a season-high besting the eight they had at Pittsburgh and home against Utah Valley.
MSU's total time with the lead today was 28:46.
Wood's five 3-point baskets today was one off this career mark of six vs UNCW in Nov. of 2023.
The top game in the MVC this season is eight 3-pointers by Drake's Mitch Wascari vs SFA and Illinois State's Jack Daugherty vs Trinity Christian.
After trailing at the 8:42 mark of the second half by seven points, the Racers took the lead on a 18-6 run over six minutes.
The last overtime game between the Racers and Hilltoppers happened at Diddle Arena in 2003.
In Coach Mick Cronin's sixth game as MSU head coach, the Racers won 100-95.
MSU's Cuthbert Victory scored 26 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the MSU win.

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).