Murray State basketball takes on Belmont in OVC Finals
After a close victory over the number five seed Morehead State Eagles last night, the Murray State Racers are back in action as the 25th ranked team in the nation looks to attain an Ohio Valley Conference Championship for the first time since 2012 and head coach Steve Prohm’s first year at the helm.
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The Racer’s meet the number three seeded Belmont bruins, who upset two seed Eastern Kentucky by one point in the semi-finals. Murray State won the last meeting between the two squads when the Bruins traveled to Murray and left the bluegrass state with a 15 point loss.
The Racers are in the midst of a fairly long winning streak, one that is close to a somewhat known team that is currently undefeated, but we will save talks of that team for another article. Steve Prohm and company are currently riding a 25 game win streak that dates back to their last loss against Valparaiso on November 29th.
The Bruins are also on a winning streak of their own as the enter this OVC title game with six consecutive wins, also having won 11 out of their last 14 outings.
Belmont will look to Craig Bradshaw to lead them to victory over top seeded Murray, as the junior is averaging 18.1 points per game, as well as 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per outing. Sophomore Evan Bradds will also be key to a Bruin win, with the guard currently averaging 14.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Murray State will look to its young gun Cameron Payne to have another outstanding evening as he did against the Bruins the last time they met (23 Pts, 4 Reb, 6 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk) and is currently averaging 20.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per outing.
Senior Jarvis Williams who had a double-double the last time these teams met, and who averages 15.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game will be key for a Racer win.
A lot is on the line for these two teams, as both would be a quality contestant for the big dance, and with a win this evening, one of those quality teams will have punched their ticket to the NCAA tourney. It is always fun to see a ticket punching game. Things tip off for the OVC tourney finals at 7pm ET on ESPN2.
Next: Here's How The Racers Escaped Morehead State Last Night