(MURRAY, Ky./VALPARAISO, Ind.) — Murray State’s basketball programs delivered strong performances over the weekend, with the women’s team posting a historic blowout Saturday at home before the men’s squad secured a road victory Sunday in the Hoosier State.
Women’s Basketball: Racers Roll Past Lindsey Wilson 101-44
The Murray State women’s basketball team delivered one of its most lopsided victories of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating Lindsey Wilson by 57 points at the CFSB Center. Haven Ford paced the attack with 23 points as the Racers improved to 9-2 on the year.
Murray State seized control from the opening tip, building a 31-12 advantage after the first quarter and maintaining command throughout. The Racers shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and drained 14 three-pointers, matching a season best.
Five players reached double figures in scoring for the home team. Ford connected on eight of 14 field goal attempts, including four triples, while also distributing five assists. Keslyn Secrist and Sharnecce Currie-Jelks both notched double-doubles, with Secrist recording 16 points and 10 rebounds and Currie-Jelks adding 13 points and 10 boards. The performance marked Currie-Jelks’ eighth double-double this season and Secrist’s fourth.
Halli Poock chipped in 15 points, while Jada Cook provided 10 off the bench as reserves contributed 31 points total.
The Racers controlled the boards with a 52-29 rebounding advantage, including 22 offensive rebounds that generated 21 second-chance points. Murray State’s defense forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 25 points, and the hosts held substantial edges in paint scoring (44-20) and fast-break points (16-2).
The victory marked Murray State’s first 100-point game of the season. The defensive effort limited Lindsey Wilson to single-digit scoring in both the third quarter (seven points) and fourth quarter (nine points).
Men’s Basketball: Racers Edge Valparaiso 85-79
On Sunday afternoon in northwest Indiana, the Murray State men’s team battled to an 85-79 road win over Valparaiso at the Athletics-Recreation Center before 1,612 fans.
Roman Domon led the scoring effort with 20 points on 4-of-5 shooting, connecting on 11 of 14 free throw attempts. JJ Traynor added 17 points, while Javon Jackson contributed 11 points in the victory.
The game featured eight ties and five lead changes, with neither team able to establish separation until the final minutes. Murray State shot 49.1 percent from the field (28-of-57) and converted 23 of 28 free throws (82.1 percent).
Valparaiso received strong performances from Owen Dease, who scored 25 points off the bench, and Rakim Chaney, who added 23 points. The hosts shot 47.7 percent overall and 38.9 percent from three-point range but couldn’t overcome Murray State’s efficiency at the charity stripe.
The Racers (10-3, 2-0 MVC) dominated the paint with 38 points compared to Valparaiso’s 34 and benefited from balanced scoring, with seven players finding the scoring column. The bench provided 29 points in the winning effort.
Both Murray State squads will break until after Christmas, with the Racer Women beginning conference play in The Valley at Evansville on December 29th at 6:00 pm, while the Racer Men will be at home to play SIU on December 29th, also at 6:00 pm.
