By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Cameron Payne scored 13 of his 24 points in the first half, exactly the margin that Murray State took into halftime, and the Racers maintained their edge throughout the second period on the way to an 83-67 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Tennessee Tech Thursday night in Eblen Center.
Payne was one of four Ravers to score in double digits. Jarvis Williams scored 16 and pulled down a game-best nine rebounds, Justin Seymour added 13 and Jeffrey Moss chipped in with 10 for the Racers (12-4/2-0 OVC) who earned their 10th consecutive victory.
Tech (8-8/0-3 OVC) was led in scoring by Josiah Moore with 16 points. The junior also had eight rebounds and three assists. Dwan Caldwell finished with 13. Mason Ramsey added eight points and five rebounds.
While Murray State's win streak was extended to double figures, the Golden Eagles saw their home winning stretch come to a halt after opening the year 6-0.
The Racers limited Tech to 35.5 percent accuracy in the first half (11-for-31) on the way to a 13-point advantage as they took a 45-32 lead into the dressing room. The lead was also due, in large measure, to Murray State protecting the ball with only one turnover in the first 20 minutes.
Payne had 13 and Williams 10 in the first half, while Caldwell scored 10 for Tech in the opening period.
It was more of the same to open the second half as the Racers opened the lead to 21 points at 53-32 with 16:37 remaining.
The Golden Eagles teased their fans with a stretch run, pulling to within 11 points on the strength of an 8-0 run that featured back-to-back 3-pointers from Ramsey.
MSU scored the next 10, however, and regained its 21-point advantage.
Once more Tech rallied and cut the difference to 13, twice, as Torrance Rowe and Javon McKay each drained 3-pointers. McKay's bomb came with 5:30 to play to make it a 71-58 contest, but the Golden Eagles could get no closer.
Tech's shooting aim improved a little in the second to 39.3 percent (11-for-28) from the floor, and the Golden Eagles held MSU to 41.2 percent after the break after the Racers shot 48.5 percent in the first half.
The teams were nearly even from long range (MSU was 8-for-21 and Tech was 8-for-18), and each team went 15-for-25 at the free throw line.
Murray State continued to display outstanding ball handling, finishing the game with only five turnovers compared with 15 by Tech. The Racers held an 11-4 edge in points off turnovers, and outscored Tech 36-20 in the paint.
Tech's three-game homestand continues Saturday night when the Golden Eagles welcome Austin Peay for the second game of another OVC doubleheader. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m., with the men's contest to follow at 7:30 p.m.
