King & Domon Lead Racers Past SIU in Carbondale

Friday, February 6

Carbondale, IL

7 p.m.

Murray State

18-7,10-4MVC

Southern Illinois

10-14,4-9MVC

Murray St.

Southern Ill.

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

2/6/2026 10:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MSU has won at Southern Illinois three-straight times for the first time in series history

The Murray State Racers scored a 91-81 victory Friday night for their third-straight over the Southern Illinois Salukis on their home floor at Banterra Center in Carbondale.

The Racers (18-7) improved to 10-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference and evened their series with the Salukis in The Valley at 4-4. MSU is at home Monday for a rare 9 p.m. tip against Northern Iowa at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

Fred King was one rebound shy of a double-double, while he and Roman Domon each scored 17 points to lead the Racers. Javon Jackson scored 15 points, with MSU getting 14 from Layne Taylor and 12 from Mathis Courbon.

Trailing by eight points nearly eight minutes into the contest, the Racers had a pair of runs to get back into the game and eventually take their first lead. Layne Taylor hit back to back 3-pointers to tie the game 20-20 at 9:53. MSU took their largest of of the half at 5:20 after Mathis Courbon hit back to back threes to make it 31-26.

The Racers finished the half with a driving layup for Javon Jackson to lead by nine points (43-34) at the intermission.

Domon's 3-pointer with 5:06 left, put the Racers in front by 15 points. SIU managed to cut the lead to eight with a minute left, but never got any closer.

Game Notes

The Racers have won their last four games against SIU in the MVC to even the series in league games to 4-4.
MSU has won their last three games in Carbondale for the first time in their series with the Salukis.
With the win, the Racers have evened the all-time series with SIU at 23-23.
SIU was ranked as the 12^th defense nationally since Jan. 1 and the Racers were still able to score 91 points and make 59 percent from the field on 30-of-51 from the field.
Part of the Racers' first half run when they took the lead for good, Courbon contributed a pair of 3-pointers and free throws in eight minutes of floor time.
The Racers were 8-of-14 from the 3-point line in the first half, it marked their best since they hit the same 8-of-14 against Indiana State (Jan. 17) at home.
Brock Vice was 6-of-6 from the free throw line in MVC games this season when he missed first try at 11:38
In the all-important end to the first half (4:00) and beginning of the second half (4:00) saw the Racers outscored SIU 22-11.
The Racers have played 25 games and have given up 10 or more 3-point baskets in one game, at Belmont (Jan. 31), SIU was 5-of-22 today.

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