Racers Fall to Ball State 85-59

Saturday, November 29

Muncie, Ind.

1:30 p.m.

Murray State

3-3

Ball State

2-2

Murray State

Ball State

Photo by: Murray Ledger & Times

11/29/2014 3:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The Murray State women's basketball team fell to Ball State 85-59 in the first game of the Ball State Federal Credit Union Thanksgiving Classic in Muncie, Indiana. MSU will face Jackson State in the Consolation game Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Cardinals (3-2) took the lead early, but the Racers (3-3) were able to answer and tie the game at 8-8. However, Ball State then went on a 20-0 run to take a 28-8 lead. Murray State went on a 5-0 late run in the middle of the stanza, but it was not enough to stop the Cardinals as they continued to lead 35-16 at the five minute mark. The Cardinals went into the locker room with a 46-24 lead over the Racers with Murray State shooting just 28.1 percent from the field.

Coming out of the locker room, the Racers looked like a completely different team from the first half. The climb back looked steep, but MSU got off to a great start grabbing offensive and defensive rebounds. In the first four minutes of the second half, Murray State only allowed Ball State to score three points, but stillt trailed 49-28. Ball State was able to keep the Racers at bay and held off MSU for an 85-59 win.

Ke'Shunan James was one rebound short of a double-double with team-highs of 20 points and nine rebounds, while Keiona Kirby added 13 points. Netanya Jackson followed James in rebounds with eight, despite the Racers being outrebounded by 10.

"I'm excited for the chance to grow every time we are on the court," said head coach Rob Cross. "The good thing about these tournaments is you have to play the following day, so we will learn from this experience."

Murray State will face Jackson State in the consolation game Sunday at 11:00 a.m. CT to conclude their time at the Ball State Federal Credit Union Thanksgiving Classic. MSU and Jackson State have not faced each other since 2003 when the Racers fell to the Tigers, 69-56.