Murray State Racers @ Eastern Illinois Panthers
Payne lifts Murray State over E. Illinois 70-66
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Cameron Payne scored seven points in the final 1:22 to carry Murray State to a 70-66 comeback victory on Thursday night at Eastern Illinois.
Payne's basket with 1:21 left gave the Racers the lead for good at 63-62. His 3-pointer on the next Racers possession made it a four-point lead with 22 seconds to go.
After a layup by Sherman Blanford cut the score to 66-64, Payne made both free throws with 14 seconds left to push the Racers back up by four.
Reggie Smith's missed 3-pointer with 9 seconds left was the last chance for the Panthers to keep it close, and T.J. Sapp made two free throws to seal the win for Murray State.
Payne had 21 points and Sapp scored 20 for the Racers (10-7, 5-0 Ohio Valley) to win their fifth straight.
Smith had 27 points and Blanford added 17 for Eastern Illinois (5-12, 2-4).
Game Information
Charleston, IL
Referee:Stephen Divine
Referee:Jimmy Dale Dyehouse
Referee:Mike O'Neill
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |
| Ohio Valley ConferenceOhio Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 15-5 | - | 23-10 |
| Morehead State | 15-5 | - | 20-13 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 14-6 | 1 | 20-13 |
| UT Martin | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 12-8 | 3 | 19-13 |
| Lindenwood | 11-9 | 4 | 18-15 |
| Little Rock | 9-11 | 6 | 12-20 |
| Tennessee Tech | 8-12 | 7 | 13-18 |
| Eastern Illinois | 8-12 | 7 | 13-20 |
| Southern Indiana | 4-16 | 11 | 7-23 |
| Western Illinois | 1-19 | 14 | 5-26 |
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