Murray State vs. Saint Louis preview
WBB: After two road games to start the season, it's the home-opener for the Racers
Murray State will play in front of the home fans for the first time this season on Saturday night as they welcome in Saint Louis to the CFSB Center. Here’s what you need to know:
Saint Louis (1-3 overall) at Murray State (1-1 overall) — 7:00pm CST at the CFSB Center
Bart Torvik national rankings: Murray State #76; Saint Louis #256
Series history: 14th meeting (Murray State leads series 7-6, winning the last three)
You can watch the game on ESPN+
Jeremy Rose will have the radio call on WNBS 97.9 FM and GoRacers.com, with the pregame showing starting at 6:30pm
Murray State Scouting Report
The last time out, the Racers lost at South Dakota State, 91-60, on Tuesday night. Murray State’s high-powered offense, which was second in America in scoring last season, has yet to break 80 points in the first two games this year.
Haven Ford (16.5 points per game) and Halli Poock (14.5 PPG) continue to pace the Racers. Through her first two games in a Racer uniform, Sharnecce Currie-Jelks is averaging 14.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. She is one of 11 players in the country to be averaging at least those numbers this season.
The Racers are yet to find the range from the outside. As a team, Murray State is 10-for-48 (20.8%) from three-point range, with Ford, Poock and Keslyn Secrist shooting a combined 3-for-23 (13.0%) from deep. Last season, that trio combined to shoot 34.8% from beyond the arc, so you have to believe it’s just a matter of time before they heat up from the outside.
Defensively, Murray State allowed Southern Indiana and South Dakota State to shoot a combined 49.3% from the floor. Last season, the Racers allowed opponents to shoot 44.6% from the field, so you have to expect those defensive numbers to improve as well.
Saint Louis Scouting Report
Wednesday night, the Billikens dropped to 1-3 on the season after a 68-52 home loss to Southern Indiana.
Saint Louis has struggled to score this year, averaging just 58.9 points per game. Their season high was 66 in a season-opening loss at Missouri State.
SLU is led in scoring by Zya Nugent (15.3 points) and Alexia Nelson (11.8 points). Alyssa Koerkenmeier, a 6’6 freshman from Saint Rose, Illinois, is averaging 9.3 rebounds per game for the Billikens.
If this game is tight late, the Racers have an advantage at the free throw line, as Saint Louis is shooting just 58.1% from the stripe this season.
I’ll have a ‘Ride Home’ podcast posted after the game.