KJ Williams’ 3-point play with 10.2 seconds remaining lifted No. 21 Murray State to a 62-60 victory over UT Martin in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup on Saturday in Martin, Tenn.
Williams finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for the Racers (26-2, 16-0 OVC), who extended their winning streak to 16 games by overcoming a five-point deficit in the final 3:18.
Tevin Brown scored 18 points on 5-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc to go along with five rebounds for Murray State, which posted its eighth straight win over the Skyhawks.
Justice Hill had 10 points and five rebounds for the Racers, and Trae Hannibal added seven points and five rebounds.
KJ Simon led UT Martin (8-20, 4-12) with 24 points on 8-for-19 shooting, including 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, and also had nine assists. The Skyhawks have lost five straight games and 12 of 14.
Trailing 33-27 at halftime, the Racers opened the second half on a 12-2 run to take a 39-35 on Brown’s 3-pointer with 15:58 left in the game.
Murray State stretched its lead to 54-47 following Brown’s two free throws with 8:22 left. But the Skyhawks responded by going on a 12-0 run to take a 59-54 lead on Simon’s two free throws with 3:18 left.
Murray State tied the game at 59 following Smith’s two free throws with 1:31 left.
Simon drew a foul on DaQuan Smith to get to the free-throw line and made the first but missed the second with 23.4 seconds left.
Murray State worked the ball inside to Williams, who made a layup while getting fouled.
After Williams completed the three-point play, Simon took the in-bounds pass and dribbled into the front court before launching a 3-pointer from the left wing that caromed off the rim as time expired.
UT Martin never trailed during the first half en route to taking a 33-27 lead at intermission.
–Field Level Media