A Game Of Inches - Racers Fall at Belmont - Murray State University Athletics

Wednesday, February 7

Nashville, Tenn.

7 p.m.

Murray State

9-15,6-7MVC

Belmont

13-11,6-7MVC

Murray St.

Belmont

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

A Game Of Inches - Racers Fall at Belmont

2/7/2024 11:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Murray State Racers and Belmont Bruins played another classic game in their long and exciting rivalry

The Murray State Racers played another classic game against the Belmont Bruins and came up on the short end of a 69-64 final at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday night.

The Racers (9-15) and 6-7 in The Valley as they come home for a pair of games at the CFSB Center, starting with the Evansville Purple Aces Saturday in a 3 p.m. MSU also hosts the Missouri State Bears on Wednesday on Valentine's Day.

Quincy Anderson scored 21 points to lead the Racers on 4-of-8 shooting from the 3-point line and Nick Ellington added 11 points for the Racers.

In the first half, the Racers fell behind 24-16 as they started the game 7-of-22 from the field for 32 percent. When the clocked ticked under three minutes, the Racers got baskets from Malek Abdelgowad, Anderson and a pair of free throws from Rob Perry to tie it 31-31 with 53 seconds left. Belmont hit a free throw to take the lead 34-33 at the halftime intermission.

In the second half, MSU hit a rough patch and missed 6-of-7 shot attempts and the Bruins put together a 10-0 run to go in front 60-55 at 4:46. With 1:49 left, there was a wild scramble for a loose ball. Anderson grabbed it in the corner and hit a buzzer three to put the Racers up 62-60. Belmont answered at 1:36 with their own 3-pointer from Keishawn Davidson and the Racers trailed by a point and called timeout. Anderson hit a tough shot down the lane for the lead again, but the Bruins scored with 50 seconds left to go back in front for good by Ja'kobi Gillespie.

Game Notes

Malek Abdelgowad tied his MSU career-high with 8:05 left in the first half with a dunk on a fast break with six points.
Abdelgowad's former career-high was twice six points against Bradley (11-29-23) and at Mississippi State (12-13-23).
He had a new career-high with 2:40 remaining in the first half when he scored layup.
Each team went scoreless in their first three possessions of the second half.
The Racers have taken some tough losses this season in close games and are now 0-8 this season in games decided by 5-points or less.
Saturday's game at the CFSB Center against Evansville marks the second game in the season 2-game series.
The Racers won the first meeting at the Ford Center in Evansville (Jan. 6) 81-59.
The Racers have won all three games with the Purple Aces as members of The Valley.
It's Salute to Service Day at the game when MSU Athletics and all of Racer Nation honors our veterans and first responders.
World famous Joe Everson will use his one-of-a-kind artistry during the pregame National Anthem.

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.