TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Keslyn Secrist scored a career-high 26 points Saturday afternoon, but visiting Murray State's offense proved too much for the Sycamores to overcome in a 109-70 loss inside Hulman Center.
 
Seniors Deja Jones and Semie Brar joined Secrist in double-figures with 12 and 11, respectively, with Brar setting a season high in scoring in the process. Bella Finnegan had seven points and a career-high 10 rebounds, while Jones also dished out seven assists.
 
Indiana State kept pace early by shooting better than 50 percent in the first quarter, but Murray State built a double-digit lead by the intermission. The Racers exploded for 35 points in the third quarter to break the game open. Indiana State had another strong shooting quarter in the fourth, but the game was out of reach by that point as Murray State claimed a share of the MVC regular season title.
 
First Half
Secrist and Brar combined to score Indiana State's first 15 points, with the duo knocking down three 3-pointers in the process. Indiana State pulled within three following a Saige Stahl layup late in the quarter, while Secrist added another basket inside the final minute. Despite the strong start from the field for the Sycamores, Murray State led 26-19 after the opening quarter.
 
Queen Ruffin and Davina Smith tacked on early second quarter baskets for the Blue and White, and Secrist added another layup within the first three minutes of the frame. Secrist added a pair of baskets to keep the Trees within eight just past the midway point of the second, but an 8-0 run for Murray State extended the Racer lead to 47-31. Jones and Secrist combined for five points in the final 90 seconds of the frame, as Indian State pulled within 47-36 at the half.
 
Second Half
Things got out of hand quickly in the third quarter for Indiana State, as Murray State started the frame on a 9-2 run. Baskets from Finnegan and Secrist gave the Sycamores some momentum, but it was short-lived. Indiana State went more than five minutes without a basket, during which Murray State went on a 24-3 run to break the game wide open. Secrist hit a buzzer-beating layup to close the quarter, but the Sycamores trailed 82-47 after three.
 
Layups from Savannah White and Brar gave the Sycamores a good start to the fourth quarter, while Secrist and Jones connected on treys midway through. Jones and White added layups, with Secrist tacking on another basket late in the frame, as the Sycamores shot better than 50 percent in the final frame. White closed the scoring for the Sycamores with a late layup, but the game was well out of reach by that point for the Sycamores as Murray State clinched a share of the MVC regular season crown with a 109-70 win.
 
News and Notes

• Indiana State honored its senior class, consisting of guards Semie Brar and Deja Jones, forward Leah Yarbrough, and graduate assistants Jada Haines and Donald Metoyer Jr., prior to Saturday's game.
• Keslyn Secrist set career highs with 26 points and 11 field goals, with her 26 points being the second-most in a game for a Sycamore this season.
• Semie Brar set season highs of 11 points and four field goals Saturday.
• Bella Finnegan registered double-digit rebounds for the first time in her career Saturday, leading the Sycamores with 10 boards.
• The third quarter proved costly for Indiana State, with the Sycamores being outscored 35-11 in the period. Indiana State was just 4-for-20 from the field in the third.

 
Up Next
Indiana State turns its attention to the MVC Tournament, with the Sycamores' first game taking place Thursday. The Trees' first round opponent and time will be announced Sunday.
 
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