Despite Career Nights, Racers Fall to EKU

Thursday, January 22

CFSB Center

7 p.m.

Murray State

5-14 (0-6OVC)

Eastern Kentucky

7-9 (2-4OVC)

Eastern Ky.

Murray St.

Photo by: Neal Head

1/22/2015 8:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Free-throws weren't enough to put Murray State over Eastern Kentucky Thursday night as they fell 64-59 at the CFSB Center. MSU made 31 free-throws which is tied for eighth on the All-Time Bests list.

The first half seemed to be a slow start for the battling conference opponents. Murray State (5-14, 0-6 OVC) had a 4-0 lead to start off the game, but EKU (7-9, 2-4 OVC) came back and went up 6-4. The lead changed five separate times, while the score was also tied five times. Netanya Jackson led both teams with nine points in the first half. Jackson, Kyra Gulledge, and Chanyere Hosey grabbed four boards during the first half. Murray State caused five turnovers and had had three steals, compared to the three turnovers they committed. MSU did not allow the Colonels to make one from behind-the-arc in those first 20 minutes of play. Eastern Kentucky had a 29-25 lead going into halftime.

The Colonels took a 7-0 run to start off the second half for a 36-25 lead. Murray State continued to chip away at the lead, but the Colonels could not be stopped. With 35.5 seconds left, Ke'Shunan James knocked down a three-pointer to only trail EKU by five, 60-55. The seconds of the game

MSU had a lot of good numbers to highlight during the game, starting with Jackson's third double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Her nine made free-throws is a career-high, along with her 17 points tying her career-high. James had her first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kirby's 14 free throws made is a career-high, and will place her third on the All-Time Bests for free-throws made, while her 20 free-throws made puts her in fifth on the All-Time list. Jashae Lee tied her season-high free throws made, while the team collectively made the most free-throws this season. The team was outrebounded by two, but caused 10 turnovers and scored nine points off of those turnovers. They only allowed one three-pointer to be made by the Colonels, and made 14 second chance points.

Murray State will travel to SIU Edwardsville for a 4 p.m. Saturday tipoff.