Racers knock off UNI 72-59 for 30th win and MVC title shot

Top-seeded Murray State advanced to the Missouri Valley Conference women's tournament championship with a 72-59 victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Keslyn Secrist led the Racers (30-3) with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Haven Ford added 19 points. MVC Player of the Year Halli Poock chipped in 13 points and seven assists to help Murray State secure its 14th consecutive win. 
Poock broke the MSU single-season scoring record in the game, now with 728 points this season. Sharnecce Currie-Jelks finished with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for her 25th double double of the year. The Jackson, Tennessee native broke the 47-year-old rebounding record, now with 386 rebounds this season.

The Racers built an 18-point lead in the second quarter, but the Panthers (18-14) mounted a furious comeback to take a 53-50 lead into the final frame.

Murray State regained control in the fourth quarter with a decisive 18-0 run. 

With the win, the Racers became just the second team in MVC history to reach 30 wins in a season. 

Murray State moves on to face No. 10 Evansville in Sunday's title game at 1 p.m.


(Photo David Eaton/MSU Athletics)