The Murray State Racers clinched a 91-81 victory against the Southern Illinois Salukis on Friday night at the Banterra Center in Carbondale. This win marked their third consecutive triumph over the Salukis, putting their record at 18-7 and 10-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Now, they’ve evened up their series against SIU at 4-4.
Fred King was just one rebound shy of a double-double, and both King and Roman Domon led the team with 17 points. Javon Jackson added 15, while Layne Taylor scored 14, and Mathis Courbon chipped in with 12.
The Racers faced an eight-point deficit early in the game but quickly rallied. Back-to-back three-pointers from Layne Taylor tied the score at 20, and the Racers gained their largest lead of the half at 31-26 after Courbon sank two more threes. They ended the half with a driving layup from Jackson, leading 43-34.
In the second half, a three-pointer from Domon extended the lead to 15 points. Although SIU closed the gap to eight in the final minute, they couldn’t get any closer.
Key Highlights
- This victory gives the Racers their fourth straight win against SIU in MVC matchups, leveling the all-time series at 23-23.
- Murray State has won their last three games in Carbondale, a first in their history against the Salukis there.
- Notably, SIU has been recognized as the 12th best defense in the nation since January 1, yet the Racers still managed an impressive 59 percent shooting percentage from the field.
The Racers’ success can be partly attributed to their performance from beyond the arc. They went 8-for-14 in the first half, matching their best shooting rate from three-point range this season. Recent data shows that teams with strong shooting percentages often outperform tougher defenses, highlighting just how effective the Racers have been.
After this win, the Racers are set to face Northern Iowa on Monday. Fans can stay connected with updates on Murray State Athletics through their social media channels.
For more insights into team performance trends, check out the NCAA statistics on shooting percentages here.
