Gritty Racers Grind Out Win at Valpo

Sunday, December 21

Valparaiso, IN

1 p.m.

Murray State

10-3,2-0MVC

Valparaiso

6-6,0-1MVC

Murray St.

Valparaiso

12/21/2025 4:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MSU's win streak goes to seven on their first road win in MVC play

Murray State Racers overcame a second-half deficit to defeat the Valparaiso Beacons 85-79 to push their winning streak to six games Sunday afternoon at the Athletics & Recreation Center (ARC) in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The Racers improved to 10-3 and to 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference on their final game before the Christmas break. The Racers return to the CFSB Center to host Southern Illinois on Monday, Dec. 29 in a 6 p.m. tip off.

Freshman Roman Domon scored 20 points on 11-of-14 from the free throw line and missed a double-double by only one rebound, while Fred King added 19 points and four blocked shots. MSU also got 18 points from their leading scorer Javon Jackson.

Trailing 39-36 coming out of halftime, the Racers face an eight-point deficit at 55-47 and the clock showing 13:40.

MSU got back into the game on back-to-back 3-pointers from JJ Taynor and Layne Taylor, but didn't tie the game until 9:50 left on a pair of free throws by Brayden Shorter.

The Racers took the lead for good with 4;24 left on a fast break layup by Shorter to make it 75-73.

MSU made 6-of-7 from the free throw line to seal the win.

Game Notes

The Racers have won their first seven games against Valparaiso since joining the MVC in 2022 and are 3-0 at the ARC.
MSU is now 8-3 all-time vs Valparaiso and 3-1 all-time at the ARC.
MSU has won their last six games overall for their first winning streak of five or more since 2022 when the team under Coach Matt McMahon won 21-straight when their season ended at the NCAA Tournament in a loss to Saint Peter's.
Domon's stat line was his best as a Racer: 20pts, 4-5FG, 1-2 3PT, 11-14 FT, 3 REB, 1A, 2ST.
Shorter's run of making at least one 3-pointer ended at nine games on an 0-of-4 day.
The Murray State record of 40 straight games is the gold standard by MSU Hall of Famer, Isaiah Canaan, who did it at the end of the 2011-12 season and at the start of the season in 2012-13.
The Racers started the day tops in the MVC (No. 19 NCAA) in scoring offense (89.5).
All 10 of MSU's wins this season have included the Racers getting to the 80-point mark first.
When MSU scores 80 points this season, they are 10-2 with their only losses coming to SMU and Middle Tennessee.

Follow the Racers on Twitter (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State men's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersHoops).