(MURRAY, Ky.) — Murray State continued its strong start to the season with a commanding victory over Little Rock on Saturday at the CFSB Center, improving their record to 4-1.
The Racers showcased a balanced offensive attack as all 11 players who entered the game contributed to the scoring column. Murray State connected on 47 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc, draining 14 three-pointers in the victory.
Mason Miller and Brayden Shorter paced the Racers with 16 points apiece, while Javon Jackson chipped in 13 points. The three guards combined for 11 of the team’s 14 successful three-point shots.
Murray State seized control late in the opening half with a 14-0 scoring surge that put the game out of reach. Jackson’s three-pointer in the final minute of the first half gave the Racers a 43-23 cushion heading into the locker room.
The second half saw Murray State extend their advantage further with an 18-8 run to open the period. During that stretch, the Racers converted three consecutive turnovers into three-pointers from Layne Taylor, Miller, and Dylan Anderson, building a 61-31 lead with nearly 15 minutes remaining.
Miller was particularly efficient in the first half, scoring 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting while connecting on four of his six three-point attempts for the game. Shorter recorded his first two-point field goals of the season and finished 6-of-11 from the floor.
Murray State shot 51 percent overall from the field and converted 74 percent of their free throw attempts. The Racers’ defense forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 21 points, while limiting their own miscues to nine.
Through five games, Murray State has accumulated 40 steals and leads the Missouri Valley Conference with 17.6 assists per game. The team ranks third in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.4.
The Racers will face a busy schedule during Thanksgiving week, participating in the Cayman Islands Classic from November 23-25. They will take on Middle Tennessee, McNeese, and George Washington in the three-day tournament.
Photo Courtesy of MSU Athletics
