(MURRAY, Ky.)-Murray State staged a remarkable second-half turnaround on Friday evening, overcoming their largest deficit in program history to defeat Northern Iowa 75-71 at the CFSB Center. The victory extended the Racers’ winning streak to eleven games and kept their conference record unblemished.
Halli Poock delivered an outstanding performance with 30 points, leading Murray State’s second-half surge after the team found themselves trailing by seventeen points at halftime. The Racers had struggled offensively in the opening half, managing just eight points in the second quarter, which left them facing a 43-26 deficit.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point for Murray State. The Racers transformed their offensive approach, connecting on more than half their field goal attempts during the period and cutting Northern Iowa’s advantage to a single point heading into the final quarter. The team’s second-half execution was dominant, as they outscored the Panthers 49-28 over the final twenty minutes.
Poock’s efficiency was key to the comeback, making nine of eighteen shots from the floor and converting nine of eleven free throw attempts. Haven Ford contributed significantly with 21 points and six rebounds, while Sharnecce Currie-Jelks achieved her twelfth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds, which keeps her atop the national rankings in that category.
Northern Iowa controlled much of the first half, building their lead to as many as nineteen points. The Panthers held a significant advantage on the boards, winning the rebounding battle 49-31. However, thirteen turnovers proved costly for Northern Iowa, as Murray State converted those mistakes into fifteen points.
The contest featured numerous momentum swings with ten different occasions where the lead changed hands. Murray State seized control in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, with Poock clinching the victory from the free-throw line. She made four consecutive charity shots in the final eight seconds to preserve the win despite a late Northern Iowa scoring attempt.
The Racers improved to 13-2 overall and maintained their perfect 4-0 conference record. The comeback ranks among the fifty largest in Division I history and represents a program milestone for Murray State. Poock’s 30-point, five-assist performance marked just the twelfth time in program history such numbers have been achieved in a single game.
Currie-Jelks continues to rank second nationally with an average of 12.1 rebounds per game. The Racers’ eleven-game winning streak ties them for eighth-longest active streak in the nation. Throughout their winning run, Murray State has consistently scored at least 74 points in every victory this season.
Murray State will attempt to extend their conference winning streak when they host Drake at 2 p.m. on Sunday, looking to remain undefeated in league competition.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PROF. DAVID EATON
