Photo by MSU Athletics
The Murray State women’s basketball team got its 2018-19 season off to a rocking start with an 81-53 win over Evansville Thursday night at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. The win was the first in a season opener against a Division I team since beating the Purple Aces to start the 2011-12 season, as well as the largest margin of victory against any Division I opponents since a 32 point win over Alabama A&M in 2016-17.
The Racer defense shut down Evansville right out of the gates limiting them to just three baskets on 17.6 shooting from the floor in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the Racers shot over 40-percent from the floor in three of four quarters, including 10-of-16 for 62.5 percent in the third, to finish the night at 47.8 percent.
Murray State also fixed two areas of concerns from the exhibition Thursday night, three-point and free throw shooting. The Racers were just 1-for-13 (7.7%) from three and 19-for-35 (54.3%) in their lone exhibition, much to the chagrin of head coach Rechelle Turner. However, on Wednesday, MSU was 7-for-10 (70.0%) from the stripe and 10-for-20 (50.0 %) from beyond the arc.
Evelyn Adebayo began her Murray State career with a double-double posting game highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Macey Turley almost had one of her own in her debut with 16 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Janika Griffith-Wallace rounded out Murray State’s double digit scorers with 13 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. Makayla Wallace led the Purple Aces in the game with 16 points, while Brooke Bishop had 10.
The Racers return to action Saturday as the middle game of a Racer triple header. The day begins with Murray State football taking on 21st-ranked Southeast Missouri at Roy Stewart Stadium, followed by the women against Oakland City at 5 p.m. and the men versus Wright State at 7 p.m. at the CFSB Center.
Fans that bring a new and unwrapped toy to either the football game or the basketball doubleheader will get in free to that game. In addition, any fan that buys a ticket for Saturday’s football game, will get a free ticket to the basketball doubleheader later that night.
Courtesy of MSU Athletics
