The Murray State women’s basketball team has faced the challenge of a new conference head on over the last two seasons, but the question this year is whether they can make it past the quarterfinals hump during the conference tournament.
Last year’s 20-12 overall and 12-8 conference record was an improvement from their 15-16 overall and 7-13 conference finish in the 2022-23 season. Though the team had improved their record in the 2023-24 season from the year prior, they lost in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament just as they did the year prior.
The Racers lost their quarterfinal matchup against the eventual MVC runner-up Missouri State University Bears by one point. Despite the loss in the conference tournament, Murray State was then invited to play in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. They lost their matchup against the University of Southern Mississippi to finish their season.
Murray State had the highest scoring offense in the MVC and fourth-highest scoring offense in the country during the 2023-24 season, averaging 84.5 points per game. They led the MVC in free throw percentage and total rebounding and were second in field goal percentage and assists as well. The Racers found their offensive groove last year and became one of the most difficult offenses in the country to stop.
One cannot bring up Murray State’s high scoring offense without mentioning graduate forward Katelyn Young, who has started since her freshman year and is now entering her fifth year as a Racer. She has averaged 19 points and 8.2 rebounds per game throughout her decorated career. Young decided to return for her fifth year after speculation on whether she would stay at Murray State, transfer to a Power 5 program or declare for the WNBA Draft.
Young has finished first in the MVC in scoring over the past two years and is likely looking to make this season the third year in a row. Despite dominating in back-to-back seasons, Young has yet to win the MVC Player of the Year award. Though she is already one of the greatest Racers to put on the uniform and has won the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year award before the change of conferences, there are still things left on the table.
Though much of the offense revolves around Young with the ball, the Racers’ offense relies heavily on making the right pass. A team doesn’t average 84 points a game going through one player, and Young’s supporting cast provides a lot of assistance on both ends of the court.
Of the 12 players that appeared in 10 or more games last year for Murray State, nine of them played 10 or more minutes and 11 played five or more minutes. The Racers had a lot of production off of their bench last year, and if they want to repeat their success from last year, points off of the bench will be crucial.
Freshmen guards Jada Cook, Grace Billington, Braxcynn Baker, sophomore guards Halli Poock and Haven Ford, junior guard Briley Pena and senior guards Trinity White and Jenna Walker make up the backcourt for Murray State this season.
Freshmen forwards Cam Hoover, Jazmine Young, Adriana Blazquez, Adalyn Koelling, sophomore forward Destiny Thomas, senior forward Ava Learn and graduate forward Katelyn Young make up the Racers frontcourt.
Senior forward Ava Learn finished second in scoring for the Racers last season, averaging 11.2 points per game while shooting a team-best 53.5% from the field. Learn was a big contributor when it came to bringing down rebounds, as she averaged 5.7 a game. She also averaged 1.2 blocks per game, showing her effectiveness on the court offensively and defensively.
Sophomore guard Haven Ford immediately became a contributor for the Racers last season as a freshman. Ford came second on the team in total assists last year after averaging 3.1 a game. Her ability to pass added with her 9.9 points per game and team-high 1.7 steals per game last season indicate Ford will be a big contributor for Murray State this season.
Junior guard Briley Pena will likely see an increased role this season as well. Pena will help keep the offense flowing, as she has proved her effectiveness from behind the arc in her two years as a Racer with a 37.8% three-point field goal percentage throughout her career.
Sophomore guard Halli Poock stayed within the MVC after transferring to Murray State from Bradley University. Poock earned MVC All-Freshman Team and Third Team All-MVC honors last season after averaging 14.9 points and 2.9 assists per game. Poock’s ability to distribute and score so early into her career makes her instantly a threat within the offense.
Entering into her eighth season as the Racers head coach, Rechelle Turner has seen what it takes to achieve success in the Missouri Valley Conference. After losing in the quarterfinals in back-to-back years, the Racers look to make it to the quarterfinals and beyond.
Improving defensively will be the key this season. Though they averaged 84.5 points per game, Murray State allowed 75.2 points per game ranking them the third-worst in the MVC. If the Racers can repeat their offensive success from last year and clean up their mistakes defensively, they will be a dangerous team in the 2024-25 season.
