Racers claim OVC, 14th NCAA berth

    In the best season of the program’s history, the Racers advanced to a 30-4 season record, defeating Morehead State 62-51 in the OVC Championship game Saturday.
    With the Eagles and Racers exiting the first half tied at 24, Murray State had to step up defense to hold off Morehead State, who defeated the Racers a week prior.
    This was the first and only loss in conference play for the Racers this season.
    Freshman guard Isaiah Canaan stood out on the team, leading the offensive drive with 16 points, good for OVC tournament MVP. Canaan also landed a spot on the OVC All-Newcomer Team.
    Junior guard Isacc Miles and senior forward Danero Thomas added nine points each, with Thomas adding nine rebounds.
    Sophomore forward Ivan Aska and junior guard B.J. Jenkins recorded eight points each, while senior center Tony Easley tallied seven.
    Easley also brought down eight rebounds and managed two blocks.
    With their defensive efforts, the Racers held Morehead State’s leading scorer Kenneth Faried to 10 points.
    The win at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., gives Murray State an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the 14th time in school history.
    The Racers find out who and where they will play in the first round on Selection Sunday.
    In order to share their invitation to the tournament, the Racers are hosting a Racer Dance Party at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the RSEC.
    The players and coaches will sign autographs and pose for photos, while CBS’s Selection Sunday program will air on Racer Vision at 5 p.m. CST.
    For more coverage of the OVC tournament, visit thenews.org.