Williams’ career night powers Racers past EIU

Story by Blake Sandlin

Sports Editor

bsandlin1@murraystate.edu

For the first time all season freshman guard Tevin Brown went scoreless from behind the arc, but the Racers leaned on the services from an unlikely sniper to coast to an 83-61 win over Eastern Illinois.

Brown, who leads the OVC in 3-pointers made this season, failed to establish his stroke on 0-for-5 shooting in Thursday’s contest with Eastern Illinois (10-8). However, sophomore guard Ja Morant answered the call, seemingly putting to rest NBA scouts’ most common critique: his 3-point shooting.

Morant shot 4-for-6, his second-highest total of the season, to add to his game-high 27 points and nine assists. Freshman forward KJ Williams continued his ascent in the starting lineup by nabbing a season-high 16 rebounds to go along with 14 points.

Williams’ 16 rebounds ranks seventh in single-game rebounding in Racer history. The freshman big man even added three blocks to complement his stat line even further.

“It’s always play hard, don’t look at the score,” Williams said. “And always keep your head up even when you don’t get the chance to score.”

Williams’ gritty defensive outing was only part of a larger defensive clinic put on by Murray State. The Racers held EIU to a meager 36.4 percent field goal percentage while limiting the Panthers’ top scorer Josiah Wallace, who averages 14.9 ppg and 17 ppg in the OVC, to just five points on the night on 2-for-13 shooting. Wallace was completely shut-out in the first half.

“We forced them into some quicker shots than they normally would take,” said Murray State Head Coach Matt McMahon. “Wallace came in averaging 20 a game in league play, and goes 2-for-13 for five points. I thought defense set the tone.”

The Racers were knotted with the Panthers early, even trailing two minutes in, but Murray State’s ability to turn their opponent over ultimately won out. Fueled by senior forward Brion Sanchious’ three steals, the Racers took the lead with 16:10 in the first half and never trailed for the remainder of the game.

Though Morant narrowly missed out on a double-double in front of the 11 NBA scouts watching courtside in Charleston, Illinois, he did wow the world with yet another feat of athleticism Thursday night.

Just minutes into the second half, Morant skied for a ridiculous tomahawk slam over an EIU defender, making rounds on ESPN and Bleacher Report minutes after. The play was named No. 1 on SportsCenter’s Top-10 plays.

McMahon had just three words to describe the acrobatics of his sophomore sensation.

“Oh my gosh.”

Morant’s slam was even witnessed in person by another Murray State point guard that spent his fair share of time in the spotlight. Former Racer guard Isaiah Canaan was in attendance at Lantz Arena to watch the blowout win, and captured a moment with his protege following the game.

Murray State’s win keeps it perched atop the OVC standings at 5-0 with a 14-2 overall record. The Racers will continue their brief stint in Illinois with a pit stop at SIUE at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, in Edwardsville, Illinois.