Racers Defeat SEMO For Key OVC Win

Thursday, February 5

CFSB Center

5 p.m.

Murray State

6-17 (1-9OVC)

Southeast Missouri

8-15 (1-9OVC)

Southeast Mo. St.

Murray State

Photo by: Neal Head

2/5/2015 6:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The Murray State Racers scored a big Ohio Valley Conference win Thursday with an 86-81 victory over the Southeast Missouri Redhawks at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.

The Racers improved to 6-17 overall and 1-9 in the OVC, while SEMO fell to 8-15 and 1-9.

MSU was led by 26 points from Keiona Kirby, a season-high on 7-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Ke'Shunan James poured in 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting. LeAsia Wright added 15 points to the MSU attack.

MSU jumped to a 25-10 start when they locked SEMO in a defensive vice and forced them into five turnovers in six possessions. MSU got on a roll on their home floor with a 11-of-22 start from the field, while SEMO was 4-of-18. Kirby's 3-pointer with 7:05 in the half gave MSU a 25-10 lead and at the 5:43 mark, James made a basket to put MSU in the lead 29-12.

The Racers had the lead for the first time at half in 10 games at 39-29.

SEMO came out in the second half and whittled the Racers lead down eventually taking a 55-54 lead with 10:37 remaining.

The Racers dug in and Kirby hit a 3-pointer with 3:58 left for a four-point MSU lead.

Leading 83-81 with 52 seconds left, Kyra Gulledge went to the line and hit one. SEMO fired up a 3-point shot for the tie and missed. Wright and Kirby sealed the win from the free throw line in the final seconds.

The Racers are back on the court Saturday at 5 p.m. against the Austin Peay Lady Governors at the Dunn Center in Clarksville, Tenn.