For the first time in program history, the Murray State women’s basketball team has won back-to-back regular-season conference championships.
In their 115-67 win over the Indiana State Sycamores on Feb. 26, the Racers earned at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular season crown.
Murray State dominated from the tip-off. Junior guard Halli Poock scored 14 of the Racers’ 27 first quarter points and almost single-handedly outscored the Sycamores, who finished with 18 points.
While Poock cooled slightly in the second quarter, junior forward Keslyn Secrist became the point of emphasis for Murray State’s offense. She scored eight points in the second quarter and finished the half as the game’s second-highest scorer to that point as the Racers took a 48-31 lead into the intermission.
Head coach Rechelle Turner said that getting out to a solid first half lead was a pregame key for her team.
“We talked about getting off to a good start,” Turner said. “You gotta get points on the board, you gotta get stops and continue to extend the lead.”
Murray State continued right where they left off in the third quarter, shooting 80% (16/20) from the field in that quarter alone. The Racers outscored the Sycamores 39-12 in the quarter.
Turner noted that her team came out at halftime “a little bit mad” and that aggression going into the quarter helped them “slam the door.”
“When you poke the bear, that makes things a lot easier for me,” Turner said.
With a massive lead going into the fourth quarter, Murray State went to the bench to finish the game. Sophomore guard Braxcynn Baker starred in the final frame, scoring 11 of her season-high 17 points.
Poock finished the night with a game-high 27 points. Junior guard Haven Ford finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Secrist finished the game with 20 points on 75% shooting from the field. Junior forward Sharnecce Currie-Jelks notched her nation leading 21st double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Currie-Jelks’ 21 double-doubles is also a women’s basketball program record.
Murray State’s next contest is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, against the Evansville Purple Aces at the CFSB Center. With a win, the Racers would win the outright MVC regular season championship.
