Murray St. Beats EIU Men, Women, SIUE Falls

MURRAY, Ky. – Eastern Illinois hit a scoring drought during a crucial late game stretch that allowed Murray State to rally and beat the Panthers, 86-75, on Thursday at the CFSB Center.

EIU fell to 13-11, 6-5 in the OVC.  Murray State improved to 18-4 overall, 9-2.

It was a game of runs for both teams that eventually ended with the Racers making the final run that decided the game.

Murray State opened the game jumping out to a 17-7 lead as they hit 5-of-6 shots from 3-point range including 4-of-4 from Ja Morant.

EIU answered with a 17-0 run of its own as the Panthers went up 27-19.  JaQualis Matlock hit a pair of 3-pointers during the Panthers run as he finished with eight points and seven rebounds.

Mike Davis would end the run for the Panthers with a basket in the paint at the 8:03 mark.  A flagrant foul would be called on EIU in the final minutes of the first that allowed the Racers to end the half with a 7-0 run and tie the game 40-40.

Murray State opened second half with a short spurt that forced the Panthers to play catch-up for the first seven minutes of the half.  Kashawn Charles sank a 3-pointer at the 13:01 mark that tied the game at 58-58. EIU finished the night 12-of-29 from 3-point range.

Josiah Wallace had 16 of his 18 points in the second half with his 3-pointer with 10:19 remaining giving EIU the lead.  Ben Harvey had a steal and converted a three point play to put EIU up 71-64.  

The Panthers would then hit a span of five and a half minutes without a basket that allowed Murray State to answer.  Shaq Buchanan finished off a four-point play at the 7:12 mark to cut EIU’s margin to 71-70. Buchanan finished with 18 points.

Tevin Brown’s 3-pointer would put the Racers with 6:46 to play.  Shareef Smith hit a 3-pointer on the next EIU possession that was called off for a shot clock violation allowing the Racers to remain in front for the rest of the game.

Mack Smith had 13 points and Cam Burrell 11 for EIU.

Morant finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.  Darnell Cowart also had a double-double finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Murray State 60, EIU Women 51

MURRAY, Ky. -- Eastern Illinois women's basketball falls 60-51 to Murray State Thursday night. The Racers went 9-of-10 from the free throw line in overtime to win their fourth OVC match-up. The Panthers fall to 9-13 overall and 3-8 in the OVC. The Racers improve to 8-14 overall and 4-7 in the OVC.

Murray frazzled EIU in the first quarter with some pressure defense forcing three straight turnovers and seven in the first ten minutes leading to a 12-3 run into the first media time out. The Racers extended their lead 17-8 into the second quarter.

The Panthers found their offensive groove mid-way through the second quarter. EIU went on an 11-0 run on a scoring effort from five different players. The Racers failed to score in the final 7:23 of the first half as the Panthers cut their lead to one point with a score of 24-23 heading into halftime.

After the break, the Panthers took their first lead of the game with a three-point play from Abby Wahl. Both teams traded baskets into the third quarter media time out. Following the time out, the Panthers went on an 8-1 run to take a 34-29 lead over the Racers. Murray responded with a 6-0 run to regain the lead, but a layup from Lennox would give EIU a one point advantage into the final ten minutes.

The teams made for a competitive fourth quarter. Jalisha Smith and Karle Pace had back-to-back steals leading to a four-point EIU lead. Macey Turley would score four straight points from the free throw line to tie things up 49-49. The Panthers had the final possession with 18 second left of the clock, but a strong Murray defense would force EIU's first overtime game of the season.

The Racers outscored the Panthers 11-2 in the five minute overtime period. Both of EIU's points came from the charity stripe, while nine of Murray's came from the line leading them to a 61-50 win.

EIU finished the game shooting 31.7 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from the arc. Lennox finished with a team-high 14 points, while Pace added 11. Pace also tallied five steals and three assists. Smith recorded six points and seven boards off the bench for the Panthers.

Murray shot 30.6 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from the arc. They out-rebounded the Panthers 55-34 led by Adebayo who finished with a game-high 20 rebounds. She also finished with 12 points to complete a double-double. Janika Griffith-Wallace and Turley each added 18 for the Racers.

EIU will be back in action this Saturday Feb. 9 for a 1:30 tip-off at Austin Peay.

Austin Peay 80, SIUE 45

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – SIUE couldn't overcome a slow start Thursday, falling on the road at Austin Peay 80-45.

The Cougars slipped to 8-15 overall and 4-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Austin Peay improved to 17-7 overall and retained a share of first place at 9-2 in the OVC.

"They came out and they set the tone," SIUE Head Coach Jon Harris said. "They are the top of the league and they played like it."

Austin Peay raced out to a 36-5 lead and carried a 42-18 advantage into the break. The Governors were 18 for 36 from the field in the first half, including going 6 of 15 from three-point range while SIUE managed just 6 of 25 shots from the field and missed all five three-point attempts.

The second half proved to be more competitive, as the Cougars connected on 10 of 15 field goals, including two three-pointers.

"We didn't quit and that's a positive," Harris said. "I thought we did some better things in the second half. The reality is they (Austin Peay) played harder from start to finish."

Brandon Jackson led SIUE with 12 points and eight rebounds. David McFarland scored 11 points and Jaylen McCoy added 10 points in 14 minutes off the bench.

Terry Taylor scored 22 to lead five Austin Peay players in double figures. Steve Harris scored 12 points. Isaiah Hart and Jabari McGhee each scored 11 points and Chris Porter-Bunton scored 10.

The Governors forced SIUE into 18 turnovers and converted those into 19 points. Austin Peay finished with a 24-16 advantage in points in the paint.

"We did not do a good job handling their pressure," Harris added. "I imagine 18 turnovers is near a season-high and that's how they got their separation."

SIUE continues its road trip with a Saturday game at fellow league-leader Murray State.

"Murray is a good team," Harris said. "It's all about effort. We didn't have the effort tonight. We have to put this behind us and find a way to come out with the good energy we had last week."