Freshman Roman Domon scored 20 points on 11-of-14 from the free throw line and missed a double-double by only one rebound, while Fred King added 19 points and four blocked shots. MSU also got 18 points from their leading scorer Javon Jackson.
Trailing 39-36 coming out of halftime, the Racers face an eight-point deficit at 55-47 and the clock showing 13:40.
MSU got back into the game on back-to-back 3-pointers from JJ Taynor and Layne Taylor, but didn't tie the game until 9:50 left on a pair of free throws by Brayden Shorter.
The Racers took the lead for good with 4:24 left on a fast break layup by Shorter to make it 75-73.
MSU made 6-of-7 from the free throw line to seal the win.
The Racers improved to 10-3 and to 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference on their final game before the Christmas break. The Racers return to the CFSB Center to host Southern Illinois on Monday, Dec. 29 in a 6 p.m. tip off.
Game Notes
- The Racers have won their first seven games against Valparaiso since joining the MVC in 2022 and are 3-0 at the ARC.
- MSU is now 8-3 all-time vs Valparaiso and 3-1 all-time at the ARC.
- MSU has won their last six games overall for their first winning streak of five or more since 2022 when the team under Coach Matt McMahon won 21-straight when their season ended at the NCAA Tournament in a loss to Saint Peter's.
- Domon's stat line was his best as a Racer: 20pts, 4-5FG, 1-2 3PT, 11-14 FT, 3 REB, 1A, 2ST.
- Shorter's run of making at least one 3-pointer ended at nine games on an 0-of-4 day.
- The Murray State record of 40 straight games is the gold standard by MSU Hall of Famer, Isaiah Canaan, who did it at the end of the 2011-12 season and at the start of the season in 2012-13.
- The Racers started the day tops in the MVC (No. 19 NCAA) in scoring offense (89.5).
- All 10 of MSU's wins this season have included the Racers getting to the 80-point mark first.
- When MSU scores 80 points this season, they are 10-2 with their only losses coming to SMU and Middle Tennessee.
Photo Courtesy of MSU Athletics
