Racers Outlast Salukis For Seventh-Straight Win

Monday, December 29

Murray, Ky.

6 p.m.

Murray State

11-3,3-0MVC

Southern Illinois

6-8,0-3MVC

Southern Ill.

Murray St.

Photo by: Stephen Furst

12/29/2025 10:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box SCore (PDF)

The Racers also pushed their home winning streak at the CFSB Center to nine

Murray State Racers remained undefeated in The Valley with a win in the final game of 2025 Monday night with an 84-81 win over the Southern Illinois Salukis and improved their home win streak at the CFSB Center to nine-straight in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers improved to 11-3 and to 3-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference as they play at UIC New Year's Day in an 8 p.m. tip at Credit One Arena Thursday night.

JJ Traynor was only one rebound from the double-double with 6-of-7 shooting for 16 points, while MSU's leading scorer, Javon Jackson, led the way with 19 points. Roman Domon came off the bench for 13 points, while Fred King battled foul trouble but still scored 11 points as did Layne Taylor.

In front of a season-best 5,058 fans, the Racers built a commanding first-half lead when they had a 14-0 run to build a nt 45-25 with 2:10 left. SIU trimmed it to 47-34 at the intermission.

The Salukis got a 4-point play from Drew Steffe to tie ut 64-64 with 7:54 remaining, but the Racers never trailed and finally closed the game in the final four minutes by hitting 3-of-4 shots from the field and 6-of-7 from the 3-point line.

Game Notes

Roman Doman notched his 11^th game in 13 of double-digit scoring with 13 points on 4-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
The Racers are 4-0 this season when Domon scores 15 or more points with wins over George Washington, Bellarmine, Valparaiso and Southern Illinois.
Brock Vice was called on when Fred King picked up two personal fouls in the first half.
Vice had an impressive seven rebounds in 7:08 on the court with four points.
Mason Miller hit one 3-pointer today to push his consecutive games streak to 8, one behind Brayden Shorter's 9-game streak that ended at Valparaiso last weekend.
The Racers had 11 assists on 20 field goals in the first half and finished the game with 16 on 29 field goals.
MSU committed 16 turnovers, but SIU only turned it into 10 points.
MSU has won their last seven games overall for their best streak in four seasons in The Valley and their first winning streak of five or more since 2022 when the team under Coach Matt McMahon won 21-straight when their season ended at the NCAA Tournament in a loss to Saint Peter's.
All 11 of MSU's wins this season have included the Racers getting to the 80-point mark first.
When MSU scores 80 points this season, they are 11-2 with their only losses coming to SMU and Middle Tennessee.
MSU's 37 points was their low for the season in the second half.

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).