Story by Gage Johnson
Senior Writer
gjohnson17@murraystate.edu
Murray State women’s basketball dominated its second game of the season, defeating the Oakland City Mighty Oaks 113-55 to start out 1-0 against a Division I team for the first time since 2014.
Head Coach Rechelle Turner stressed that in games like these, the focus should be to improve each and every player’s game to prepare for more crucial games ahead.
“Tonight, just like all non-conference games, it’s not about the opponent, it’s about us,” Turner said. “We’re going to work through the process and try to embrace it. Winning is the end product, but the mastery of the process is the final destination we are shooting for.”
After a slow start to the first quarter, Racer fans got a glimpse of what the completed process can be.
A storyline Murray State fans will most likely hear more than once this season is that junior forward Evelyn Adebayo put on a show offensively and on the boards. In the second quarter, it was Adebayo that fueled a Racers push.
The Racers ended the first half holding a 47-27 lead, thanks in large part to Adebayo having her second double-double of the season by halftime, with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Adebayo went on to finish the game with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Murray State ramped up offensive play in the second half and claimed a 113-55 victory by the end of regulation.
The Racers’ box score was very spread out. Seven players scored in double figures and all but one player that logged minutes scored as well.
“We’re definitely going to have depth,” Turner said. “We’ve got a logjam in some spots and that’s a good thing to have. Tonight we had people we didn’t feel like were giving effort so we played other people and still scored 113 points. That’s a good tool for a coach to have.”
While it was a highly offensive showcase from Murray State, Turner was extremely proud of their defensive effort and believes that in the end that’s what is most important.
“It’s always going to be about the defense,” Turner said. “Our defense led to offense and us rebounding the basketball.”
The Racers hit the hardwood next when they take on Spalding University at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at CFSB Center.