Late Surge Pushes TSU Over Racers

Thursday, January 15

CFSB Center

5 p.m.

Murray State

5-12 (0-4OVC)

Tennessee State

6-9 (3-1OVC)

Tennessee St.

Murray State

Photo by: Sam Sheffer

1/15/2015 7:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The Murray State women's basketball team fell in another close game 76-72 to Tennessee State Thursday at the CSFB Center.

MSU (5-12, 0-4 OVC) was slow out of the starting gate, but they've faced adversity throughout the season. The Lady Tigers (6-9, 3-1 OVC) led for the entirety of the first half. They held a 26-24 advantage with 4:23 still left in the first half. The Racers went on a 10-0 run to cut the TSU lead to 36-34 at the break.

Murray State continued its run into the second half and took its first lead of the game when Keiona Kirby made a three-pointer at the 18:50 mark.

Like many games this season, it looked like the game would be decided in the final seconds and it was. Tennessee State was able to gain control in the final seconds to win the game 76-72.

Three Racers scored in double-digits, led by Ke'Shunan James who put up 19 points. Olivia Cunningham added 18 and Keiona Kirby 16. Kyra Gulledge led MSU with eight rebounds, while the team grabbed down 43 boards total. The Racers held the Lady Tigers to 35.7-percent from the floor, while shooting 35.6-percent themselves.

Netanya Jackson tied her career-high five blocks.

When asked about the final seconds of the game, head coach Rob Cross said, "I couldn't have drawn a better play. They set up a play and had James and Bianca Babic open on the three-point-line, and that's who I would have wanted to shoot the ball."

Murray State continues its homestand at the Bank Saturday against Belmont at 5 p.m.