By ISU Sports Information
MURRAY, Ky. – Illinois State held Murray State without a field goal for more than seven minutes, until 2:41, in the second half; however, the Racers did not miss on their final five attempts, and a 3-pointer by MSU’s Jonathan Stark with two seconds remaining broke the tie and pushed Murray State to a 73-70 season-opening victory over ISU Friday night at the CFSB Center.
The Redbirds (0-1) led by as many as eight points with 16:14 left in the game before Murray State (1-0) began its late comeback. Illinois State was led in scoring by MiKyle McIntosh‘s 18 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Deontae Hawkins recorded his third-career double-double by matching a career high with 15 rebounds plus 14 points. Murray State was led by Terrell Miller, Jr.’s 23 points.
ISU shot 24-for-54 (44.4 percent) from the field while the Racers shot 24-for-58 (41.4 percent). The Redbirds out rebounded Murray State, 39-33, and MSU committed 14 turnovers compared to 18.
Illinois State opened up a 5-2 lead before Murray State answered with a 6-0 run on back-to-back 3-pointers to take an 8-5 advantage. Murray State extended its lead to 13-9 on a Miller, Jr. 3-pointer. A Paris Lee 3-pointer capped nine-unanswered points to lift the Redbirds ahead 18-13 at the 11:55 mark. Lee netted five points during the streak. Murray State responded with six-straight to regain the advantage on a Damarcus Croaker dunk.
With four-straight Bryce Jones free throws, the Racers extended their lead to 27-20, their largest advantage of the game. However, Phil Fayne‘s jumper sparked a 9-0 Redbird run, with the other seven points from McIntosh, as ISU took a 27-29 lead on a McIntosh 3-pointer at the 2:48 mark. The Redbirds went on to build a 32-29 halftime advantage thanks to a buzzer-beating 40-foot shot by Keyshawn Evans.
Illinois State outscored Murray State, 8-3, to start the second half as the Redbirds established a 40-32 lead, their largest of the game, on a Tony Wills 3-pointer at the 16:14 mark. However, the Racers responded with a 14-2 run, including four 3-pointers to lead 46-42 on a Miller, Jr. trifecta with 13:34 remaining. A 3-pointer by Hawkins stopped the scoring streak, and Illinois State later tied the game, 53-53, on a Fayne jumper. ISU then regained the lead, 56-55, with a McIntosh three-point play at the 5:44 mark.
The Redbird defense held Murray State without a field goal from 10:05 until 2:40, as ISU built a 62-55 advantage on a Hawkins 3-pointer with 3:23 remaining. The Racers tied the game, 66-66, on a Miller, Jr. 3-pointer. Two free throws by Lee gave Illinois State a two-point lead with 38 seconds to play.
But, a three-point play for Stark followed by a Jerami Grace free throw pushed Murray State ahead by two with 12 seconds remaining. Lee quickly answered with a driving layup to once again tie the game. However, Stark’s 3-pointer with two seconds on the clock sealed Murray State’s 73-70 victory as McIntosh’s last-second heave was off line.
With the season-opener complete, the Redbirds tip off their home schedule Wednesday at 6 p.m. versus Fort Wayne on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
