Ford's buzzer-beater lifts Racers past USI
WBB: The junior guard's layup as time expired helped Murray State win their season-opener
Murray State beat Southern Indiana, 79-77, on Friday night in the Racers’ season-opener ibn Evansville. Here’s what you need to know:
With the win, Murray State improves to 1-0, winning their first game of the season for the second year in a row, and the fourth time in the last five years
With 1.9 seconds left in a tie game, junior guard Halli Poock inbounded to Haven Ford, who dribbled to the basket and laid the ball in as time expired to give the Racers the win
Poock led the Racers with 22 points, while Ford (16 points), Sharnecce Currie-Jelks (15 points), Keslyn Secrist (14 points) and Briley Pena (10 points) also scored in double figures for the Racers
The full box score can be found here
Poock and Ford combined to go 19-for-19 from the free throw line
The Racers will travel to play South Dakota State on Tuesday
Murray State’s backcourt connects for the game-winner
As the two returning All-Conference players for Murray State, much is expected from Halli Poock and Haven Ford this season. When it mattered most, the two teamed up to give the Racers the dramatic road win.
After USI’s Ali Saunders hit a three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining to tie the game, Murray State Head Coach Rechelle Turner called her final timeout to advance the ball to midcourt. With the game on the line, that’s when Poock found Ford for the game-winner. (Video from @RacersWBB on X)
While the announcer may have confused Poock and Ford in the heat of the moment, there was no confusing the fact the Racers picked up their first win of the year. The duo combined for 38 points, ten rebounds and six assists in the victory.
Free throws again help seal win for Racers
Murray State finished the game 30-for-34 (88.2%) from the free throw line, as Poock and Ford combined to go 19-for-19 at the stripe — and the Racers needed all of them. In the last 20 seasons, this was the first time the Racers made at least 30 free throws while knocking down at better than 88% of their attempts.
Elite free throw shooting has become a staple of this program in recent years. In their last 187 games, dating back to the start of the 2019-20 season, Murray State is shooting 77.8% from the free throw line — that leads the country over that stretch.
SCJ impressive in Racer debut
In her first game in a Murray State uniform, junior forward Sharnecce Currie-Jelks showed why she was such an important addition to this program in the offseason. Currie-Jelks finished the game with 15 points and 14 rebounds, as she controlled the inside for the Racers. The last Racer to open a season with that many points and rebounds was Katelyn Young, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds in the first game of the season four years ago against Asbury.
Next up: A trip to South Dakota State
Murray State will get their shot at the premier mid-major program in the country when they travel to South Dakota State on Tuesday. The Jackrabbits have dominated the Summit League over the last two decades, making the NCAA Tournament 13 of the last 17 seasons. Last year, South Dakota State finished the year 30-4, ranked #23 in the final Associated Press poll. They’re already off to a 2-0 start this season.