Four Tally Double Digits in Racer Road Win

The Murray State men's basketball team saw four players turn in double-digit scoring performances on Wednesday night as the Racers opened exhibition play with a 93-87 road win at Wichita State.

Murray State saw reigning Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year lead the way with 17 points, including a 6-7 mark at the free-throw line, while adding six assists. Brayden Shorter hit a pair of first-half three-pointers and then notched 10 second-half points on the way to 16 points of his own, while Christian Jones filled his stat line with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals. Talis Soulhac was the final Racer in double figures with 12 points as the guard added six rebounds, tied for the team-high with Brigham Rogers.

The Racers, who trailed by one at the half, used a 14-8 scoring run over a five-minute stretch midway through the second half to pull things even. A Wichita State jumper gave the hosts a one-point lead moments later in what turned out to be its final lead of the night after Murray State rolled off nine of the next 12 points to lead 80-70 with just over five minutes remaining.

Wichita State, the presumptive preseason favorite in the American Conference, never went away down the stretch, but the Racers had the most emphatic sequence of the night when they pulled down three-straight offensive rebounds inside the final two minutes, punctuated by Rogers' tip-in basket. The hosts whittled the lead down to four in the closing moments, only to see Murray State slam the door with a 5-of-6 mark at the free throw line in the final 40 seconds.

Murray State finished the night shooting 43 percent overall while connecting on 11 three-pointers (42 percent) and going 81 percent from the free throw line. All 10 Racers who saw action found the scoring column as nine players grabbed rebounds. The Racers forced Wichita State into 15 turnovers, converting those giveaways into 14 points, while Murray State also notched 28 paint points and had 18 points off fast break opportunities.

Wichita State ended the night with 47 percent overall shooting and a 33 percent mark from deep, while the hosts won the battle on the boards by a slim, 39-36 margin. Dillon Battie led all players with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Jahari Long (14 points) and Bryce Heard (10 points) were also in double figures in the loss.


Photo by: Nick Phillips - Murray State Athletics