Murray State Racers @ Illinois State Redbirds
Murray State holds off Illinois State 78-72, wins 5 in a row
NORMAL, Ill. -- Terrell Miller Jr. scored 25 points, Shaq Buchanan added 16, and Murray State held off Illinois State 78-72 on Saturday to win its fifth straight.
The Racers scored 11 straight and pulled ahead 47-34 early in the second half for its largest lead of the game. The Redbirds closed to 70-68 on William Tinsley's 3, but Jonathan Stark replied with a 3 and the Racers led 75-70 on Jalen Durpree's layup with 1:26 left. Milik Yarbrough's jumper made it a three-point game, but Ja Morant sealed it with three free throws in the final 20 seconds.
Morant scored 15 points with nine rebounds, Stark had 13, and the Racers (6-1) outshot the Redbirds 50 percent to 41 percent.
Yarbrough scored a career-high 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting and Taylor Bruninga added 11 points for Illinois State (4-6).
Game Information
Normal, IL
Referee:Gerry Pollard
Referee:Roland Simmons
Referee:Gene Grimshaw
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-3 | - | 26-4 |
| Murray State | 12-7 | 4 | 20-10 |
| Bradley | 12-7 | 4 | 19-11 |
| UIC | 12-7 | 4 | 17-13 |
| Illinois State | 11-8 | 5 | 19-11 |
| Valparaiso | 11-8 | 5 | 17-13 |
| Northern Iowa | 10-9 | 6 | 18-12 |
| Southern Illinois | 9-10 | 7 | 15-15 |
| Drake | 6-13 | 10 | 12-18 |
| Indiana State | 3-16 | 13 | 10-20 |
| Evansville | 2-16 | 13.5 | 6-23 |
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