(CARBONDALE, Ill.) — Murray State’s women’s basketball team continues to dominate the Missouri Valley Conference, claiming an 87-74 road victory over Southern Illinois on Thursday evening to push their winning streak to a program-record 13 consecutive games.
The Racers improved to 15-2 overall and remained undefeated in conference competition at 6-0, marking their best start to MVC play since joining the league. Halli Poock paced Murray State with 23 points, converting eight of her 13 field goal attempts and knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. The standout guard also distributed five assists in the winning effort.
Murray State received balanced scoring throughout the lineup. Haven Ford added 20 points along with six rebounds, while Sharnecce Currie-Jelks posted her 14th double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds. That total keeps Currie-Jelks tied for the most double-doubles in the nation. Keslyn Secrist chipped in 15 points and four rebounds, marking her second consecutive game reaching that scoring threshold.
The Racers seized control from the opening tip, building a 23-14 advantage after the first quarter. Southern Illinois matched Murray State’s intensity in the second period, but the Racers gradually pulled away by outscoring the Salukis in both third and fourth quarters.
Southern Illinois dropped to 4-12 overall and 1-6 in conference play despite the home-court advantage at the Banterra Center.
Murray State’s current winning streak ranks as the fifth-longest active streak in Division I women’s basketball. The Racers have now scored at least 74 points in each of their 15 victories this season.
The undefeated run through conference play sets up a pivotal matchup Sunday when Murray State returns home to host Belmont, the only other MVC team without a conference loss. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the CFSB Center.
