Murray State started slow and never fully recovered in a 71-64 loss to the Belmont Bruins in Nashville. The Racers- now 17-6-lost for the first time this season in the Ohio Valley Conference, but still have a share of the lead after Austin Peay lost 70-68 at Tennessee State. Terry Taylor had 23 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort for the Governors.
The Racers and Governors remain in a two-way tie for OVC first place at 10-1. Murray State plays Saturday at Tennessee State in Nashville at 7:30 p.m. Austin Peay comes to Belmont Saturday.
Eastern Kentucky won 91-84 at Eastern Illinois and improved to 9-2 as the third place team in the conference. Former Hopkinsville standout Jaqualis Matlock did not score in that game for EIU.
Former Christian County standout Detorrion Ware had 14 points in 18 minutes off the bench, but it wasn’t enough for Jacksonville State as they fell at Southeast Missouri 76-72. The Gamecocks fell to 9-19 on the season and play at UT Martin Saturday.