Murray State Racers @ Evansville Purple Aces
Payne's steal seals Murray State's 81-79 win over Evansville
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Cameron Payne, who scored a career-high 32 points for Murray State, stole the ball with one second left to secure an 81-79 victory over Evansville on Saturday.
Payne, who was 4 of 7 from long range, made 10 of 19 field goal attempts and also had eight assists for Murray State (6-4).
Evansville (7-2) took a 62-61 lead with 8:00 left. The Racers' Justin Seymour nailed two 3-pointers and Payne knocked down another to regain the advantage70-63 with 6:57 left and never trailed again.
Evansville's D. J. Balentine, 31 points, made four straight free throws to tie at 79 with six seconds left, but Jonathan Fairell drove for a layup and the win.
T.J. Sapp hit 3 of 5 from beyond the arc to score 15 points and Seymour was good on all three attempts from long range for 10 as the Racers made 11 of 19 3-point attempts.
Game Information
Evansville, IN
Referee:Don Daily
Referee:K.B. Burdett
Referee:Nathan Bemis
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 |
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