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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Murray State used a 10-2 run late in the first half to take a double digit lead as the Racers would keep Eastern Illinois at an arm's length the remainder of the night during a 76-66 win on Thursday night at Lantz Arena.
 
EIU fell to 10-18 overall, 6-11 in the OVC.  The Panthers will honor their four seniors – Montell Goodwin, Ray Crossland, DeVantae' Price and Muusa Dama – prior to Saturday's final home game against SIUE at 3:15 pm.  Murray State improved to 23-5 overall, 15-2 in the OVC and following Belmont's loss, the Racers moved into first place in the OVC.
 
Both teams came out hot from the floor.  Terrell Miller was the Racers big scorer with 16 first half points which included 3-of-5 from 3-point range.  Goodwin and Mack Smith countered for the Panthers with both players draining a pair of 3-pointers for the Panthers.
 
The two teams traded the lead early on before Miller gave Murray State the lead for good with a 3-pointer at the 11:41 mark of the first half putting the Racers up 23-20.  A jumper by Smith with 6:55 would cut the Racers lead back to two points.  Another Smith lay-up with 2:58 to play in the first trimmed the Racers lead to 34-31 with 2:58 to play in the first.  Smith would score 17 points in the first half and finish the game with 22 points.
 
Following Smith's lay-up, Murray State went on a 10-2 run over the next two minutes to take a double digit lead.  Byron Hawkins dunk with 1:01 left in the half put Murray State up 44-33.  Goodwin hit a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left in the half to cut Murray State's halftime lead to 44-36.  Goodwin finished the game with 16 points and a career high nine assists.
 
Jonathan Stark opened the second half with a jumper that put Murray State back in front by ten points. Stark was one of four Racers in double figures with 15 points.  Murray State would keep the lead between six and ten points most of the second half.  A Stark 3-pointer with 13:25 to play in the game gave Murray State its biggest lead at 16 points, 56-40. 
 
Crossland had 13 points and a team high seven rebounds for EIU.
 
Miller had a double-double for Murray State finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Shaq Buchanan had 15 points while Ja Morant just missed his second triple-double of the season with 15 points, nine rebounds, nine assists.