Courtesy: Michael Dann Sophomore Mallory Schwab had one of the best games of her career against Mid Con, with career-highs for points (12) and steals (3).
The Murray State women’s basketball team not only improved its 2009-10 record to 3-0, making it the best start since the 1988-89 campaign, but also extended its home-court winning streak to a school-record 20 games, with the 97-54 victory over Mid Continent at the Regional Special Events Center.
The Racers seemed to have the scoring touch, as six players tallied double-digit point totals. Sophomore Rachael Isom tallied a team-best and career-high 17 points, while freshman Mariah Robinson recorded 16. Sophomores Kristen Kluempers and Mallory Schwab added 12 each, and freshman Jessica Holder and Alex Duck garnered 11 and 10 points, respectively.
MSU opened the first half with an 8-0 run in the first two minutes of action, with Robinson starting the scoring for the second game in a row on a three-pointer just 22 seconds into the game. The Racers continued to show strong shooting ability and tough defense through the game, holding the Cougars (0-6) under double-digits until 9:12 remained in the first half. By that point MSU had tallied 32 points. The Racers went into the locker room with a 55-25 advantage.
MSU continued its strong performance through the second half, increasing its lead to as many as 45 points before earning the 97-54 win.
MSU performed well across the stat sheet, recording a 42.7 shooting percentage (35-of-82), a 45.2 percent (14-of-31) mark from three-point range, 46 rebounds, 21 assists, eight blocks, and 26 steals. The Racers 26 steals set a new team record for steals in a game, with the previous high being 25 against Arkansas State (Feb. 2, 1984). The team also recorded the most blocks in a game since Jan. 22, 2005 against Tennessee State (9), good for the No. 8 spot on the MSU lists. The Racers also recorded the fourth-best number of three-point shots in a game in school history.
MSU remains at home for its next outing, when 2008-09 Missouri Valley Conference Champions, Evansville comes to the RSEC for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Racers then head to Atlanta, Ga. for Thanksgiving Weekend to participate in the Georgia State Tournament, Nov. 27-28.
Notes: This is the best start for the Racers since 1988-89 when the team started the year 8-0…all but one of the MSU players who saw time on the court tallied at least two points, but all players tallied at least one rebound…the Racers home-winning streak is currently the fifth-longest active streak in NCAA DI women’s basketball.
Quotes Head Coach Rob Cross ““I am excited that we were able to open the season with a win."
“We did a good job with our press. We were able to force them into 39 turnovers while recording 26 steals.”
Courtesy: Michael Dann
