Murray State tops Jacksonville State for eighth straight win

MURRAY, Ky. -- Jonathan Stark played all 40 minutes and scored 32 points with five assists and four rebounds to propel Murray State past Jacksonville State 68-60 on Thursday night for its eighth straight victory.

Stark sank 4 of 11 from 3-point range and 12 of his 15 free throws for the Racers (21-5, 13-2), who remain tied with Belmont for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. Terrell Miller Jr. added 12 points as Murray State sank 8 of 23 (35 percent) from beyond the arc, while holding the Gamecocks (18-10, 9-6) to 9 percent shooting from distance (1 of 11).

Marlon Hunter topped Jacksonville State with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Christian Cunningham chipped in with 12 points, six boards and three blocked shots. The Gamecocks outscored the Racers 44-22 in the paint, but couldn't keep pace from distance.

A bucket by Jacara Cross pulled Jacksonville State within 48-47 with 7:15 remaining in the game, but Stark nailed a 3 and a jumper and Miller added a layup to push the Racers' advantage to 55-47 with less than five minutes to play. The Gamecocks got no closer than five from there.