Every Racer scored and 10 in double-figures as MSU wins for 22nd consecutive time at home
The Murray State Racers scored a record-breaking season opening win 173-95 over the visiting Greenville Panthers at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.
The records that fell in the first game of the 96th season of Racer Basketball are many; including the MSU single-game scoring mark of 173, as it easily surpassed the 138 the Racers scored against Campbellsville at old Racer Arena in 1994. The combined score of 268 points is also a new MSU program record, besting the 233 the Racers and Southeast Missouri scored in 2014. MSU’s first half scoring mark was 62, accomplished three times with the last coming in 2018. The Racers scored 87 in the opening half to smash that record. MSU’s 86 points in the second half is also a school record, surpassing the old mark of 81 in the same 1994 game with Campbellsville.
The Racers also rewrote the record book in the Ohio Valley Conference with league records for points, points in one half, combined points and most field goals attempted.
Every one of MSU’s 14 players scored, including 10 in double-figures. KJ Williams had 22 points and Devin Gilmore scored a career-high 20 as the two combined to make 20-of-23 shots. Justice Hill (three points shy with 10 rebounds and 11 assists) and Tevin Brown (two rebounds and one assist shy with 10 points) each flirted with a triple-double. Freshmen Dionte Bostick, Ja’Queze Kirby, Nicholas McMullen, Jackson Sivills and Matthew Smith all got into the act and scored their first points in their Murray State careers.
The style of play Greenville uses lends to high scoring games as they entered the contest averaging 99 points in losses to Samford and UMKC. The Racers held GU under their average and were able to handle the Panther’s full-court press which led to scoring 62 fast break points and 142 points in the paint. The Racers also held a 79-31 advantage on the boards. The Racers ended the game making 77-of-105 from the field for 73 percent, while they held Greenfield to 28 percent on 30-of-107.
The win also pushed the Racers’ home court winning streak to 22.
Next up for MSU is a Wednesday road contest against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.
Game Notes
In MSU’s 96th season opener, the Racers get the win and are 83-13 all-time. Since a 2014 loss to Houston, the Racers have won six straight and 30 of the last 31.
The Racers have now opened the 23rd season in the history of the CFSB Center. MSU’s win in the home opener makes them 22-1 all-time in “The Bank” with the only loss being to Houston in 2014.
MSU’s home winning streak is now 22 and the sixth-longest in program history. If the Racers can win at home (Dec. 8) against Austin Peay, they will tie the fifth longest streak in program history of 23 that was set between 1930-33. The gold standard for home win streaks for MSU remains the 47 in a row the Racers posted from 1996-2000. This famous streak included winning the last 30 games as Racer Arena was closed out and the first 17 at the CFSB Center.
Tevin Brown started the day with 960 career points. He scored 10 today and has 970 in his Murray State career as he will soon become the 47th member of the MSU 1000-Point Club. Hopefully, KJ Williams will be in the club before the season is out. After scoring 22 points today, the junior now has 670 (648).
Justice Hill made his first start as a Racer in his debut, while Brion Whitley made his first in his 45th career game. Tevin Brown made his 66th career start. After coming off the bench much of last season, KJ Williams returned to the starting lineup making his 29th career start.
Coach Matt McMahon is now 6-0 in season openers.
McMahon’s overall record in his sixth season is 111-51 (.685) and 65-11 (.855) at home.
With the difficulty of scheduling in the last week because of Covid-19, the Racers were forced to played their season opener on Nov. 29. It’s their latest home opener since they opened on Nov. 22 in 2002 and 2003. In those years under Coach Mick Cronin, the Racers defeated West Florida and Wagner at home. The latest home opener in MSU history was Jan. 17 in the first season of the program in 1926 when the Racers lost to Will-Mayfield 31-14.
Record Night At CFSB Center
Here’s a look at the Murray State single-game records that fell tonight.
FIRST HALF POINTS BY MSU
Old record: 62 vs Illinois College (12/7/70), vs Berry College (11/25/95), vs Spalding (11/16/18)
MSU SCORED 87 POINTS
TIED OVC RECORD OF 87 BY EASTERN KENTUCKY VS BRESCIA IN 2018.
SECOND HALF POINTS BY MSU
Old record 81 – vs Campbellsville (11/30/94).
MSU SCORED 86 POINTS
SINGLE GAME POINTS BY MSU
Old record: 138 vs Campbellsville (11/30/94)
MSU SCORED 173 POINTS
BROKE OVC RECORD OF 148 BY TENNESSEE STATE OVER FISK IN 1993
BROKE CFSB CENTER RECORD OF 118 VS BRESCIA IN 2017
COMBINED SCORE IN A MSU GAME
Old record: 233 at SEMO (03-01-14) – (MSU 119, SEMO 114 2OT), 229 vs Tenn. Tech (1/30/93) – (MSU 117, Tech 112)
MSU AND GREENVILLE COMBINED FOR 268 POINTS
BROKE OVC RECORD OF 251 BY MOREHEAD STATE VS WEST VIRGINIA STATE IN 1992
BROKE CFSB CENTER RECORD OF 214 IN 2001 WHEN MSU BEAT TENNESSEE STATE 114-1000
HIGHEST SCORING MARGIN BY MSU
Old record: +68 vs Camp Campbell (11/26/46)
MSU BEAT GREENVILLE +78
BROKE CFSB CENTER RECORD OF 70 BY MSU OVER SPALDING IN 2018
MSU MADE FIELD GOALS IN A SINGLE GAME
Old record: 56 – vs Campbellsville (11/30/94)
MSU MADE 77
BROKE OVC RECORD OF 58 BY MIDDLE TENNESSEE VS TENNESSEE WESLEYAN IN 1988
MSU SINGLE GAME FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Old record: (.725) by MSU vs Austin Peay (1/9/85)
MSU SHOT (.733) on 77-of-105 FROM THE FIELD
MSU SINGLE GAME ASSISTS
Old record: 34 vs Campbellsville (11/30/94)
MSU HAD 45