Racers Top Lady Govs on Senior Night

Saturday, February 21

CFSB Center

3 p.m.

Murray State

8-20 (3-12OVC)

Austin Peay

8-19 (6-9OVC)

Austin Peay

Murray State

Photo by: Sam Sheffer

2/21/2015 7:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Murray State women's basketball team topped Austin Peay 72-67 Saturday at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. The Racers now hold a three-game home winning streak against the Lady Govs.

Right before tipoff, head coach Rob Cross and Murray State fans honored the three seniors, Netanya Jackson, Chanyere Hosey, and Keiona Kirby, for all of their contributions to the team and school.

Kirby helped get the Racers (8-20, 3-12 OVC) get off to a hot start by scoring the first eight points. Austin Peay (8-19, 6-9 OVC) did not want to take an Ohio Valley Conference loss as they were currently sitting in the eighth seed spot for the tournament. MSU led by as much as nine, but the Lady Govs continued to fight back and kept the game close. Murray State shot 32.4-percent from the field, while shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. The Racers went into the locker room with a 36-29 lead.

Murray State led for most of the second half, with a slight lead for the Lady Govs coming at the 50 second mark. Down the stretch, both teams fought for the conference win. Beth Rates put Austin Peay on top with free-throw shots, but the Racers would not go quietly. Murray State took the lead again on free-throw shots by Kirby. With six seconds left the Racers led 70-67 with APSU having control of the ball. Ke'Shunan James grabbed the inbound pass and passed it to LeAsia Wright, who then made two free-throws to give the Racers a 72-67 victory.

James led the Racers with 18 points, and a new career-high 11 rebounds. Keiona Kirby and LeAsia Wright both added 14 points. Hosey's two steals tie her career-high for steals. MSU shot an impressive 90.5-percent from the free-throw line. The team outrebounded Austin Peay by two, and scored 16 points off of the 17 turnovers they forced the Lady Govs to commit.

"We were into it, and wanted to win" said senior Keiona Kirby. "It was good to win both games against Austin Peay"

Cross said "I was thrilled to come out with a victory on senior night. I am proud of the energy we with played with. Our team has stayed in each game and fought and I'm proud of that."

The Racers face UT Martin for their final game of the season on Saturday, Feb. 28 in Martin, Tennessee.