Date (Time): Nov. 10, 2022 (11 a.m.)
Opponent: Christian Brothers
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (CFSB Center)
Audio: WNBS 97.9 FM (PxP: Jeremy Rose)
TV: ESPN+ (PxP: Jeff Bidwell, Analyst: Marc Rozanski)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersWBB
MUR Record (Streak): 0-0 (—)
CBU Record (Streak): 0-0 (—)
MUR Last Game: — (—)
CBU Last Game: — (—)
All-Time Series vs. CBU (Streak): MUR leads 1-0 (Won 1)
First Meeting: W 95-59 (11/22/19; Murray, Ky.)
Last Meeting: W 95-59 (11/22/19; Murray, Ky.)
Largest MSU Win: W 95-59 [36 Pts.] (11/22/19; Murray, Ky.)
Last MSU Loss: —
Last Five vs. CBU: 1-0 (W—-)
Next Game: Nov. 13 at Purdue
Next Home Game: Nov. 19 vs. Chattanooga
The Game
The Murray State women’s basketball team will officially begin its 2022-23 campaign Thursday when it hosts Christian Brothers at 11 a.m. at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky for its annual Community Kids game.
Series At A Glance
Thursday will mark only the second meeting between Murray State and Christian Brothers. The Racers won the only other meeting between the two schools in 2019, 95-59, in Murray.
Scouting The Buccaneers
Christian Brothers finished last season at 9-17 overall and 8-12 in the Gulf South Conference. The good news for third-year head coach Jessie Carmack, however, is that she returns all 14 players from a season ago and has added further leadership with transfer senior Selena Pruitt from Alabama-Huntsville.
Last year, the Bucs averaged 71.8 points per game on 39.4-percent shooting, while allowing 79.7 points per game on 44.0-percent shooting. CBU gave up 5.2 rebounds per game a season ago (37.2/42.4) and shot 75.1 percent from the charity stripe.
Emily Jones led CBU’s offense last season with 15.2 points per game, to go along with 5.8 rebounds as well. On the boards, Yaya Coleman was the top rebounder at 7.4 per game, while also adding 14.5 points.
A Win Would…
A win Tuesday would give the Racers their fifth consecutive home opener victory under head coach Rechelle Turner.
Return of the Queens
On top of returning nine letterwinners and four starters from a season ago, Murray State is also returning 85.2-percent of its scoring and 85.7-percent of its rebounding. All four returning starters (Burpo, McKay, Turley, Young) also earned All-OVC accolades last season, while Young was OVC Player of the Year, as well.
New Season, New League
After 45 seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers will make the move to the Missouri Valley Conference this season. The Racers officially open MVC play Dec. 30 at home against Valparaiso.
The Free Throw Whisperer
Under Rechelle Turner, the Racers have done some of their best free throw shooting in school history. In five years, Turner’s teams have finished the season with a top-ten all-time free throw shooting percentage on four occasions, including two top-five finishes. Last season, the Racers shot 80.0-percent from the charity stripe.
Rk. Year FT% Head Coach
1. 2008-09* .826 Rob Cross
2. 2007-08 .807 Jodi Adams
3. 2021-22 .800 Recehlle Turner
4. 2006-07 .771 Joi Felton
5. 2020-21 .768 Rechelle Turner
6. 2005-06 .756 Joi Felton
7. 2018-19 .755 Rechelle Turner
8. 2013-14 .735 Rob Cross
9. 2017-18 .726 Rechelle Turner
10. 2014-15 .723 Rob Cross
* indicates national leader
Opening The Gates
The Racers will open their 56th season of women’s basketball against Christian Brothers Thursday and are 22-33 all-time in season openers and 15-11 when opening the season at home. Additionally, MSU is 31-24 all-time in home openers and 16-8 in home openers at its current arena, the CFSB Center. Now in her fifth season, head coach Rechelle Turner is 2-3 all-time in season openers, but 4-1 in home openers.
– SHOES UP –
For more information contact:
Parker Griffith
