In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Murray State emerged victorious against Southern Illinois, clinching a close 62-60 win in Carbondale, Illinois. Leading the charge for the Racers was Jacobi Wood, who registered 20 points. The game was tightly contested, and Kylen Milton’s free throw with just five seconds left helped solidify the victory for Murray State.

Wood’s shooting performance saw him score 6 out of 18 attempts from the floor, including hitting 3 out of 11 from beyond the arc. He was precise from the charity stripe, sinking all five of his free throws. Nick Ellington contributed significantly with 14 points, making 3 of 7 attempts from the field and excelling at the free-throw line by converting 8 out of 10. He also pulled down eight rebounds, adding to his impactful presence on the court. Terence Harcum matched Ellington’s scoring with 14 points as well, going 5 of 9 shooting, including 2 of 5 from three-point range.

For the Southern Illinois team, Kennard Davis delivered an impressive performance, leading his squad with 26 points and 10 rebounds. He was a dominant factor in the game. Ali Abdou Dibba chipped in with 13 points, offering solid support to the Salukis’ offense, while Jarrett Hensley added eight points alongside his 11 rebounds.

Ellington’s contributions stood out in the second half, where he was the leading scorer for the Racers with eight points, helping his team secure the hard-fought win. The match highlighted the competitiveness within the Missouri Valley Conference as both teams showcased their determination and skills on the court.