With four games remaining for the Murray State men’s basketball team, every result is crucial as the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) tournament draws near. On Feb. 22, the men’s team traveled to Peoria, Illinois, for a matchup with the Bradley University Braves. Murray State was looking for their first win at Bradley since 1981.
The Racers started the game on a 12-0 run, their best start of the season, forcing Bradley Head Coach Brian Wardle to call an early timeout. Bradley quickly fought back and took the lead 20-18 with 7:08 courtesy of three straight 3-pointers. The first half continued to be back-and-forth. With one second left in the first half, senior guard Terence Harcum was fouled on a three-point try by Bradley guard Duke Deen. He made all three free throws to give the Racers a 39-36 lead going into halftime.
Murray State started the second half just as well as they did the first, extending their lead to 16 points with 13:48 remaining. However, Bradley stormed back. The Braves tied the game at 67 with 6:35 to go thanks to guard/forward Christian Davis converting two free throws. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the game. Senior guard AJ Ferguson tied the game at 75 with 52 seconds left and both teams had opportunities to win it late, but nobody could pull it off. An exciting game in the MVC headed to overtime.
Baskets continued to be traded in the overtime period. Junior forward KyeRon Lindsay tied the game at 83 with seven seconds left, and it looked like the game would see double overtime. Bradley with the last possession faked a handoff and forward Darius Hannah scored a layup as the buzzer sounded to give the Braves the 85-83 win on their home court.
Five Racers scored in double figures, with Harcum leading the team with 22 points, four assists and four rebounds. Lindsay finished with 17 points off the bench, his second-highest point total in a game this year.
Murray State’s final home game of the year will take place at the CFSB Center at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25, when the Racers host the Indiana State Sycamores on Senior and Greek Night.
