The Murray State Racers men’s basketball 2017-18 season began Thursday with a home 98-82 exhibition win over the McKendree Bearcats at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.
The Racers get the regular season going Friday (Nov. 10) when they host Brescia in a 7 p.m. tip.
Newcomers Ja Morant and Shaq Buchanan led a group of four Racers in double-figure scoring with 24 and 19 points, while All-Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Team selections Jonathan Stark and Terrell Miller each tossed in 15 points. Ten MSU players reached double-figure scoring in the game.
Leading 16-6 at the start on a Stark 3-pointer, the Racers finished the half in a big way by hammering out a 14-4 run, punctuated by the freshman Morant hitting a three and scoring on a fast break.
MSU took a 51-35 lead at the half.
The Racers quickly pushed their lead to 20 only 2:30 into the second half and eventually led by as many as 28 points with 9:36 left to play.
MSU shot 54 percent for the game on 37-of-68 from the field, while holding the Bearcats to 43 percent on 25-of-58.
The Racers won the rebound battle 44-25.
Morant’s line read 24 points on 8-of-11 from the field with nine rebounds and six assists.
The 93rd season in Murray State history gets going when the Racers host Brescia on Nov. 10. The game will also mark the 20th for the CFSB Center, the home of Racer Basketball since 1998.
Racer fans will have plenty of chances to see the team compete in November as MSU starts the season with five of their first six games at home. After the opener against Brescia, the Racers host Middle Tennessee (Nov. 13) before hitting the road for a game at Wright State (Nov. 18). MSU comes back home for games against Southern Illinois (Nov. 25), Harris-Stowe (Nov. 28) and Florida A&M (Nov. 28).
Dave Winder – Department of Athletics – Murray State State University
Associate AD – Media Relations
