Freshman forward Charles Brown dances after senior forward Jeffery Moss scores another 3-pointer in Saturday’s game against UT Martin.
Story by Kelsey Randolph, Sports Editor
In their final home game of the season the Racers won, 79-55 over UT Martin who is the No. 1 seed in the OVC West.
Out of the gate the Racers saw senior forward Wayne Langston layup, junior guard Gee McGhee score a 3-pointer and jumper all before UT Martin scored their first points almost five minutes into the first half. Head Coach Matt McMahon said both he saw improvement on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor, after poor defensive play against Eastern Illinois last Thursday he said the team picked up its pace and played well.
“I was just thrilled with out guys focus,” said Head Coach Matt McMahon. “I thought our performance in both ends of the floor was outstanding.”
Starting the night in honor of their senior year was forwards Terron Gilmore, Jeffery Moss and Langston. McMahon said it was a tradition he’s know since he first became a coach. He said if he ever had the opportunity to be a head coach he would start all his senior on their last home game.
“I played for pride,” Moss said. “They beat us pretty bad on national television and we just wanted to return the favor.”
Moss, who was the games highest scorer, began a trend of 3-pointers totaling 33 points for the night and only one 3-point shot away from tying the school record for most three’s in one game.
“That’s the one thing about coaching,” McMahon said. “It’s very rewarding when you have a player who invests an incredible amount of time into becoming the best player they can be and then they get an opportunity like this on senior night and they step up and deliver the goods. I’m just so happy for him because he’s worked his tail off.”
Langston, who finished the first half with zero fouls, had five rebounds and 11 points to close the half.
Entering the second half Langston fouled in the first 23 seconds, three more followed before the end of the game. Junior guard Damarcus Croaker and Moss followed into the half with 3-pointers. Rounding the last minute of the game, McMahon checked in Gilmore for his final time. Gilmore rebounded and made his final jumper of the game.
Racers fans and teammates all jumped to their feet to celebrate their final win of the season.
The Racers finished their 29 consecutive winning season. Leading the night was Moss with 33 points, Croaker with seven rebounds and both Jones and McGhee with six assists.
Murray State shot 56 percent from the three-point line and 51 percent from inside the paint. The Racers made 10 points off turnovers, 20 points inside the paint and 20 assists.
The Racers (10-6 in the OVC, 18-13 overall) will play in the first round of the OVC Tournament at 8 p.m. Wednesday night against Eastern Illinois (9-7 in the OVC, 16-13 overall).
“Congratulations to Coach Schroyer, he’s done an unbelievable job there,” McMahon said. “They’re just an outstanding basketball team.”