The Murray State Racers and Morehead State Eagles squared off in a battle of conference undefeated teams
The Murray State Racers kept their undefeated run going in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 77-66 win over the Morehead State Eagles. The Racers pushed their overall win streak to 10 and have a streak of 13-straight wins at home in the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.
The win made the Racers (20-2) one of only two 20-win teams in NCAA D-I, along with No. 1 Auburn.
Murray State is now the solo leader in the OVC at 10-0, while the Eagles (16-6) fell to 8-1 and snapped a 10-game win streak of their own. The Racers return the game to Morehead, Ky., on Feb. 12.
Needing three 3-point baskets to break the OVC career record, the drama built until there was 4:14 remaining in the first half. Brown’s wing three gave him 320 as he surpassed Joe Sibbitt’s mark of 319 set at Austin Peay from 1994-98. Brown finished the day 3-of-9 from long distance and 16 points. KJ Williams was one rebound from his fourth-straight double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds. Justice Hill scored 19 points and distributed five assists for the Racers. Trae Hannibal and Jordan Skipper gave the Racers only five who scored with 14 and seven points respectively.
A tight game from the start, the Eagles led once by six points, but the Racers finished the half with a 7-2 run in the final 2:38 left to have a 33-28 lead at the halftime intermission.
With 7:46 left in the game, the score was tied for the 10 time of the day at 48-48 when the Racers made a move to gain space on the scoreboard. Williams scored eight-straight points and the Racers were in front 56-48 with 5:46 left. Morehead State cut the MSU lead to six points, but Hill’s drive put the Racers in front again with 2:21 left. The Racers sealed the win by making 9-of-12 from the free throw line.
The Racers won the battle of the boards 38-33 and had a 12-8 advantage on the offensive boards. MSU also forced the Eagles into 15 turnovers and scored 20 points from those mistakes. The Racers outscored the Eagles 17-8 from the free throw line.
The game with Morehead State marked the eighth game in 16 days for the Racers. Next week, the Racers travel to Clarksville, Tenn. for the first Popeyes Battle of the Border game with Austin Peay. The Racers are back at home next Saturday (Feb. 5) to meet the SIUE Cougars.
Game Notes
o Tevin Brown began the night three 3-pointers from setting an OVC career record. It was quite an historic moment with 4:14 left in the first half when Brown broke Joe Sibbitt’s record that had stood for 24 years. Brown hit the shot on the same side of the court where his family was sitting and he smiled and pointed in their direction.
o Brown hit three on the night and has 320. One more than the APSU great Sibbitt.
o The 10-game win streak for the Racers means Coach Matt McMahon’s teams have accomplished this feat four times in his seven seasons at Murray State.
o The only other coach in MSU history with four is Carlisle Cutchin, MSU’s first coach from 1925-41.
o The Racers have secured their 32nd 20-win season in the history of the program as the 97th season is being played in 2021-22.
o Coach McMahon joins Carlisle Cutchin (1925-41) and Steve Prohm (2011-15) as the only coaches in MSU history with four 20-win seasons
o McMahon’s outstanding success for the Racers now has him at 144-66 (.685) in seven seasons and 85-31 (.732) in OVC games.
o The Racers are nearing 300 all-time wins in the CFSB Center, now at 299-49 (.858).
o McMahon’s mark at The Bank in seven seasons is 85-15 (.850).