Racers face Eagles, extensive road trip

    With two home games approaching against OVC opponents Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State this week, Murray State looks to burn off the excess calories caused by voracious amounts of turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie and scorch any opposition that dares to step foot in the RSEC.
    The Eagles of Morehead State visit Murray State Saturday to try their luck against the Racers. 
    The Eagles recently overcame Longwood University at the Longwood Invitational on Nov. 29  in Farmville, Va., with a 68-62 win.              Guiding the team to victory were junior guard Chynna Bozeman, who scored 17 points and snatched six rebounds, and senior guard Tiffany Hamilton, who put up 12 points.
    Thursday night Murray State took on the Colonels, whose line-up consists of freshmen and sophomores sprinkled in with a few seniors and juniors.      
    At 5-foot-10, junior guard Chynna Bozeman led the team in scoring with 16.9 points per game and is second on the team in steals with 11.
    The Racers hope to earn a notch in the win column to do away with the two-game losing streak.
    “We are not talented enough, with any team in our league, to just go out and win games based on talent,” Head Coach Rob Cross said.  “Because of our inexperience we have to outwork everybody that we play.  If we do that, we have a chance to beat every team on our schedule.”
    Among conference rivalries, Murray State ranks first in blocked shots, steals and defensive rebounds.
     Murray State leads the conference in scoring and holds the No. 6 national ranking in the same category through their balanced attack.
    Sophomore guard Rachael Isom currently leads the team in scoring with 13.3 per game after averaging 0.9 last year.  Freshman guard Mariah Robinson has also proved reliable and consistent with 12.2 points per outing. 
    Eight players on the team average five points or more.
    After starting the season 5-0, the Racers experienced the bitter taste of defeat for the first time this year in an 87-72 loss against Georgia State Friday.
     The Panthers killed Murray State on the glass with a 44-31 advantage overall and more importantly, 21-8 in offensive rebounds, resulting in easy second-chance scoring opportunities for Georgia State.
    The Racers had four double-digit scoring performances by sophomore guards Mallory Schwab and Isom and sophomore forwards Kriste­n Kluempers and Robinson.      
    A second consecutive loss came at the hands of Morgan State Nov. 28. Despite the 83-74 defeat, senior guard Mallory Luckett burst out with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
    The Racers take a break from conference play as they hit the road for Missouri, Missouri State, Southern Illinois, IUPUI and Marshall in the next few weeks.
    Contact Frye at jeffrey.frye@murraystate.edu.