Racers can't hold late lead, fall to Hilltoppers 81-76 in OT

The Murray State Racers led most of the way against long-time rival Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday, but couldn't close out a late lead and lost 81-76 in overtime at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.

JaCobi Wood led the Racers with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Nick Ellington added 15 points and seven rebounds. AJ Ferguson added 13 points and seven rebounds.

Coming out of the half time intermission with a 39-33 lead, the Racers started the second half on 1-of-8 shooting and WKU took the lead.

Murray State produced an 18-6 run and regained the lead and pushed to an eight-point advantage with 7:00 remaining, but couldn't bring the win home.

The Racers (6-3) play their second game in the Missouri Valley Conference when they travel to Terre Haute to meet the Indiana State Sycamores on Wednesday. Tip time at the Hulman Center is set for 6 p.m.