When the top two teams in the conference meet on a nationally televised stage, in front of 7,100 enthusiastic fans, fireworks are sure to ensue.
Such was the case Thursday night as Belmont – the top team in the East – squared off against Murray State – kings of the West – in a conference battle for the ages.
In an environment which Head Coach Steve Prohm said reminded him of the record setting sellouts of a season ago, the Racers and Bruins battled to the final buzzer in what many called the game of the year in the OVC.
Murray State played arguably its best half of the season in the first 20 minutes, racking up a 36-26 halftime lead. Seniors Stacy Wilson and Brandon Garrett led the charge, while Isaiah Canaan sank two 3-pointers, ending his four game shooting slump. Throughout the first 15 minutes of the second half, the Racers matched Belmont’s every move, holding the lead between 10 and 15 points. With five minutes left in the game, however, the Bruins mounted a 7-0 run, cutting its deficit to seven. After free throws from Wilson and Ed Daniel, Belmont drained back-to-back 3’s, cutting Murray State’s lead to four.
Canaan drew two fouls, and sank all four free throws, extending the Murray State lead to six with 1:23 to play. It wasn’t enough, however, as back-to-back 3’s from Belmont’s standout senior guard, Ian Clark, tied the game at 74.
Not to be outdone, Canaan responded. After bringing the ball up the court, Canaan dribbled left and rose up, knocking down the heavily contested 3 with 35 seconds to go, sealing the game for the Racers.
“I always believe the next shot I take is going to go in,” Canaan said. “I took what the defense gave me. They backed off of me and I took it.”
Senior forward Latreze Mushatt raised one finger in the air, as the clock expired on a 79-74 Murray State victory.
“We needed this game, we really did,” Prohm said. “We needed this game to test us and see where we’re at, and they responded like I thought they would … It reminded me of last year with the crowd and the energy and the emotion.”
Canaan finished the evening with 26 points, while sinking 15 out of 17 free throws. Wilson added 16 points of his own and Garrett chipped in 13.
“I felt like the team that played the best won the game,” Belmont Head Coach Rick Byrd said.” … “They got after us. They screened better than we did, they rebounded better than we did and they shot it better than we did.”
The Racers remain in control of the West Division, with a four-game lead. The victory moves the Racers to within a game and a half of Belmont for the regular season conference crown.
Murray State will face another tough test at home Saturday night, however, as Tennessee State comes to town. The Tigers handed the Racers a 72-68 defeat at home exactly one year prior, ending hopes for a perfect season at 23-0.
“It happened last year, so I’m not worried about it,” Canaan said. “They’re a new team with a new coach and I know our coach is going to do a great job getting us ready for them.”
The Racers and Tigers tipoff Saturday night at the CFSB Center at 7 p.m.
Story by Jonathan Ferris, Staff writer.