Freshman guard Cameron Payne (1), from Bartlett, Tenn., fighting hard against SEMO’s defense after hitting three 3-pointers in the first minutes of the game.
Prior to the start of the season, Southeast Missouri State and Murray State were picked as co-favorites to win the western division of the OVC. The Racers made a statement Thursday night, defeating the Redhawks 85-72 in the first of two regular-season matchups between the two teams.
The victory moves Murray State to 6-7 on the season, but more importantly gives the Racers a 1-0 start in the conference.
Freshman Cameron Payne got Murray State off to a red-hot start, draining three 3-pointers in the game’s first 1:25. The Racers began the game with a 10-0 run and led 14-2 at the 15:24 mark.
Redhawk junior Nino Johnson kept his team in it, however, scoring nine first-half points. A layup by senior Lucas Nutt pulled SEMO within four as the first half expired.
Clinging to a 38-34 lead, Murray State junior Jarvis Williams took over the game down low. Williams tied a CFSB Center record, pulling down 18 rebounds in the game. Williams also added 16 points and four blocks to secure his sixth double-double of the season.
Junior forward Jarvis Williams (4) had a record night, earning 18 rebounds, 16 points and four blocks.
Riding the rebounding dominance of Williams, the Racers expanded the lead to 10 with 13:09 to play. SEMO junior Jarekious Bradley would not let his team go down without a fight, however, scoring 13 of the Redhawks’ next 15 points. Bradley drained a mid-range jumper with 7:53 to go to give SEMO its first lead of the night.
Junior T.J. Sapp responded, grabbing a rebound and taking it coast to coast for the quick layup to retake a 61-60 lead. Perhaps more importantly, though, Sapp drew a foul from Bradley on the layup, forcing the Redhawks’ star player to the bench with four fouls. Sapp sank the free throw to complete the three-point play and extend the Murray State lead to two.
The teams traded baskets until Murray State’s defense put the game away in the final minute with two blocks from Williams and a steal by Sapp to seal the deal.
Guard T.J. Sapp (22), junior from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., goes for the rebound against SEMO.
Though Williams stole the show with his record-setting stat line, Payne and Sapp also had big nights for the Racers.
Payne scored a career-high 23 points and finished with six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Sapp scored 14 coming off the bench and had four rebounds and an assist.
The Racers now look to make it a perfect 2-0 start in conference play as UT Martin prepares to visit the CFSB Center Sunday afternoon.
The last time the two teams met, the Skyhawks stole their first ever win at the CFSB Center, defeating Murray State 69-68 late last season.
The Racers and Skyhawks tip off at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the CFSB Center. The game will also be televised on the CBS Sports Network.
Payne(1) goes up for the score, earning a career-high 23 points.
