Story by Blake Sandlin
Sports Editor
A Murray State win against D-III Spalding was practically a foregone conclusion heading into the first-ever meeting between the two schools, but it was the emphatic way the Racers did it that left spectators stunned.
The Racers completely stifled the Golden Eagles en route to a 106-36 win on Friday, Nov. 16, allowing the team to cement multiple records. Murray State’s 70-point win marked the highest margin of victory in school history, breaking the previous record of 68 points set in 1946 in a win against Camp Campbell.
Not only that, but the 36 points the Racers limited the Golden Eagles to signaled the lowest score recorded by an opponent in the CFSB Center.
After giving up the first basket of the game, the Racers went on an incredible 26-1 run to go up big early. The Golden Eagles couldn’t buy a bucket after that initial score, going 3-for-22 in the first half and only netting their next basket with 3:55 left in the half. Spalding ultimately scored 13 points on just three made shots and seven free throws in the first half.
While Spalding struggled, Murray State succeeded. The Racers forced 15 turnovers against Spalding, capitalizing for 62 first-half points thanks to complementary play by Ja Morant. Though only playing 16:12 in the game (all in the first half), the sophomore guard netted a complete stat line with 18 points, eight assists, five steals and three rebounds.
Senior forward Anthony Smith also contributed, tying a career high with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in 10:11 of action.
By the time the second half rolled around, Murray State’s starters were nowhere to be found. Yet, that didn’t stop the scoring onslaught from continuing.
The Racers’ second unit picked up where the first unit started, as sophomore forward Devin Gilmore led the charge with 14 points and 10 rebounds, on 7-for-7 shooting for the Racers’ only double-double.
Gilmore said his team’s approach to the matchup with Spalding was to treat it just like any other game.
“Our biggest lesson [learned] was to play hard no matter what, no matter who we’re playing,” Gilmore said.
Junior guard Jaiveon Eaves was one of five Racers who finished in double figures. Eaves added 12 points and four assists as he tallied 26:20 of game minutes, the most of any Racer of the night. The collective effort by the Racers was more than enough to handily secure a record-breaking 106-36 win.
Murray State finished the night with 32 assists, coming up just two shy of the previous assist record of 34. Head Coach Matt McMahon praised his team for their willingness to distribute the ball in the dominating win.
“I think it carried over from Saturday’s win against Wright State,” McMahon said. “We assisted on 17 of our 27 baskets against a really good defensive team in Wright State, and I want that to be a trademark of our team. I think Ja obviously sets the pace there with his not only unselfishness, but with his ability to create those scoring opportunities for our players. That’s the way the game should be played, and it’s fun to watch when it’s done so.”
A 70-point victory obviously isn’t indicative of what the Racers will face through the duration of the season, but McMahon hoped the win
“I hope everyone enjoyed getting to play out there in front of our great fans and enjoyed contributing to the win,” McMahon said. “But we’re evaluating every practice and every possession the same way, and I just want us to play to a certain standard for how we want things done, regardless of the score and who we’re playing. I think when you do those things it gives you an opportunity to keep getting better as a team as the season wears on, and we know the challenges are coming.
The Racers will face one of their toughest tests of the season when they meet Missouri Valley foes Missouri State University at 7 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 24, at the CFSB Center.
