Murray State Racers @ Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Jacksonville State hands Murray State first OVC loss 76-71
JAACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- Marlon Hunter scored 21 points and Malcolm Drumwright added 20, including the clinching free throws with 4.3 seconds left, and Jacksonville State handed Murray State its first league loss 76-71 on Thursday night.
Jason Burnell and Christian Cunningham added 12 points apiece for the Gamecocks (13-5, 4-1 Ohio Valley Conference), who led by 19 points with 11:39 to play.
Jonathan Stark had 22 of his 29 points and six of his seven 3-pointers, in the second half to rally the Racers (12-4, 4-1), who had won five straight. Starks had a 3-pointer in a 10-0 run that cut the deficit to nine with 8:31 to play. His two 3-pointers after Ja Morant's 3-point play made it 69-65 with 1:14 to go.
In the last 62 seconds, the Gamecocks made 7 of 8 free throws, four by Drumwright, to offset the last two 3s by Stark.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Craig Murley
- Bret Smith
- David Carter
2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 2-0 | - | 12-1 |
| Illinois State | 2-0 | - | 10-3 |
| Murray State | 2-0 | - | 10-3 |
| Bradley | 2-0 | - | 9-4 |
| Northern Iowa | 1-0 | 0.5 | 9-3 |
| Drake | 1-1 | 1 | 7-6 |
| Valparaiso | 0-1 | 1.5 | 6-6 |
| Indiana State | 0-2 | 2 | 7-6 |
| Southern Illinois | 0-2 | 2 | 6-7 |
| UIC | 0-2 | 2 | 4-8 |
| Evansville | 0-2 | 2 | 4-9 |
2025-26 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico State | 1-0 | - | 7-3 |
| Middle Tennessee | 1-0 | - | 7-4 |
| Liberty | 0-0 | 0.5 | 8-3 |
| Florida International | 0-0 | 0.5 | 7-4 |
| Louisiana Tech | 0-0 | 0.5 | 7-4 |
| Western Kentucky | 0-0 | 0.5 | 7-4 |
| Missouri State | 0-0 | 0.5 | 6-5 |
| Jacksonville State | 0-0 | 0.5 | 5-6 |
| Delaware | 0-0 | 0.5 | 4-7 |
| UTEP | 0-0 | 0.5 | 4-7 |
| Kennesaw State | 0-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Sam Houston | 0-1 | 1 | 7-4 |

