Second Half Rally Falls Short Against Redbirds

Thursday, January 2

Murray, Ky.

7 p.m.

Murray State

7-7,1-2MVC

Illinois State

9-5,1-2MVC

Illinois St.

Murray St.

Photo by: Stephen Furst

1/2/2025 5:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Racers’ second half comeback got them to as close as one point of Illinois State in the final minutes at the CFSB Center

The Murray State Racers nearly overcame a 13-point deficit Thursday in the late second half, but ultimately fell in another epic battle to the
Illinois State Redbirds 74-68 at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers and Redbirds have met five times as Missouri Valley Conference members and every game has been close with an average winning margin of only 3.2 points per game.

The Racers (7-7, 1-2 MVC) hit the road for a pair of league games in the Hawkeye State against Drake at 2 p.m. Sunday (Jan 5) in Des Moines on ESPN2 and Northern Iowa next Thursday (Jan. 8) in Cedar Falls.

JaCobi Wood led the Racers with his fourth 20-point game with a game-high 21 points 7-of-14 from the field, while Kylen Milton added 19 points and a team-high eight rebounds and AJ Ferguson scored 15 points.

After falling behind 30-15 in the first half, the Racers were down by 13 points with 10:06 remaining.

MSU put together a 12-2 run to get the game to a 58-55 at 7:36 which included a 3-point play from Wood. After ISU pushed to a seven-point advantage, the Racers cut the lead to one point three times, but was never able to take the lead. MSU had to a 1-point game at the 3:07 mark and also at 2:20 (on a Milton baseline dunk) and with 1:29 left on a pair of Milton free throws.

Game Notes

The Racers are 4-2 at home this season.
This game marked the first contest at the friendly confines of The Bank since Dec. 8 when they defeated Southeast Missouri 73-53.
Today was the 2,705^th game played in the Racers' 100 seasons.
The Racers are 1,742-963 (.643).
JaCobi Wood is closing on 1,500 career points as he has 1,480 after 21 points tonight.
Kylen Milton is also getting close to 1,500 points and he has 1,444 points after scoring 18.
Terence Harcun is looking to get to the 1,000-point mark in his career and has 963 after scoring five points tonight.
The Racers were 20-of-26 (.769) from the free throw line marking a third-straight game of making at least 20 and their seventh of the season.
The Racers lead the MVC in free throw attempts (358), but are ninth in percentage (.698).
The Racers are 2-3 against ISU in five games in The Valley.

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