Entering the day having lost their last four games, the Racers (17-7) moved to 9-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference and in a share of second place. MSU is 11-1 this season at home.
Making his first start in the MSU Blue & Gold, freshman Roman Domon played nearly 37 minutes and scored 18 points with eight rebounds. Fred King posted his eighth double-double on 16 points and 14 rebounds. Javon Jackson added 14 points, while Layne Taylor added 11 points.
Leading 40-33 at halftime, the Racers hit the first two baskets of the second half for their largest lead of the day at 12 points (45-33), but the Flames put together a 9-0 run to cut it to a thin two points (47-45) at 13:48. Jackson, King, Shorter responded and the Racers' lead went to nine with 12:07 remaining. When Domon dunked on a fast break and then made a steal under the MSU basket and scored, the Racers were ahead 63-47 with 8:03 left.
Even so, the Flames made it a 77-74 game with 16.7 seconds left, but Shorter and King closed the game out making 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
The Racers hit the road Friday for a game in Carbondale against the Southern Illinois Salukis. MSU has home games remaining vs UNI, Belmont and Evansville.
Game Notes
- The Racers once again reached the 80-point mark for the 20th time and they have won 16 of them.
- MSU's nine steals is their second-best in MVC games behind the 10 they had against Valparaiso (Jan. 10).
- The Racers made nine 3-pointers today, their best since making 11 at home against Indiana State (Jan. 17).
- The 45 rebounds by the Racers is their fourth-best of the season, as 50 is their top game against Morehead State (Dec. 2).
- King has eight double-doubles this season and five in his last seven games.
- In his first start at MSU, Domon's box score line was impressive: 36:47, 6-11FG, 1-5 3PT, 5-6FT, 8REB, 18PTS, 3A, 3STL
Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics
