Story by Keith Jaco
Staff writer
rjaco@murraystate.edu
Murray State Racer basketball returns to the CFSB Center this weekend to await visits from the Eastern Illinois Panthers and the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Cougars.
Looking back
The Racers enter the week following a 1-1 record over the weekend against Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech.
Sophomore guard Ja Morant and company got off to a slow start in their matchup against the Gamecocks, shooting 25 percent from three-point range and trailing by seven at the half. The Racers failed to make any headway in the second half, falling 88-68 as JSU shot 58 percent from the floor.
The Racers had a chance to rebound quickly from their JSU loss as they headed to Cookeville, Tennessee, to face the struggling Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech.
A game that most thought would be a blowout victory for Murray State turned into a back-and-forth battle between two programs trending in separate directions. The Racers committed 17 turnovers, but Morant’s play down the stretch helped seal a 67-63 victory.
Looking forward
Despite an increase in turnovers and rebounding inconsistencies, Head Coach Matt McMahon believes his team is in a great spot as they prepare for the Panthers Thursday.
“We have to keep working and trying to get better,” McMahon said. “We’re in a great place; we’re 17-4, right here in the mix going into February.”
The Racers will be tasked with a familiar foe on Thursday night, facing off against EIU for the second time this season after handling business 83-61 less than a month ago in Charleston, Illinois.
The Panthers have gone 3-2 since their last matchup with Murray State, earning two important home wins over Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky. Although the Racers kept EIU in check last time around, a close eye should be kept on the Panthers from 3-point territory on Thursday, as the Panthers are the second-best team from deep in the OVC.
On Saturday night, Murray State will welcome the Cougars of SIUE for their second matchup of the season. The Racers escaped Edwardsville with a 82-72 win on Jan. 19 thanks in large part to Morant’s career-high 40 points.
The Cougars, much like EIU, have found success following their matchup with the Racers, going 3-1 since Jan. 19, averaging 86 points per game in wins over EKU, SEMO and Morehead State. SIUE will look to guard Tyresse Williford for help on the offensive end in the rematch with Murray State. The Cougars guard torched the Racers for 33 points on 10-17 shooting in their last meeting, including 11-11 on free throws.
Murray State will host Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the CFSB Center.