TUESDAY'S SCORES
@Murray State 98, Pacific 75 (CIT)
MURRAY STATE 98, PACIFIC 75
MURRAY, Ky. - The Murray State Racers advanced to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament championship game with a 98-75 win over the Pacific Tigers at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.
The Racers (22-11) will host the Yale Bulldogs (19-13) in the CIT title game Thursday in a 6 p.m. tip at the CFSB Center.
Cameron Payne led the way for MSU with 21 points with seven rebounds and four assists, while T.J. Sapp and Jarvis Williams each tossed in 18 points. Jeffery Moss scored 15 points as the Racers shot 55 percent for the game from the field on 32-of-58 including 13-of-25 from 3-point range for 52 percent.
The Racers hit the Tigers with a knockout punch that ended the first half and started the second half.
With 5:06 in the half, Sapp and Payne each hit 3-pointers. Sapp scored on a put-back and another defensive stop led to a fast break three from Moss. When Jonathan Fairell scored with 39 seconds left, the Racers had a 9-0 run to end the half and a 49-38 lead.
Moss and Dexter Fields hit threes to start the second half as the Racers put together a 12-2 run that put MSU in front of the Tigers 61-40 with 17:31 left.
The Racers maintained that large lead and secure their 22nd win of the season and their 20th win in the last 26 games dating back to their 2-5 start.