Payne lifts Murray State over E. Illinois 70-66

Posted January 16, 2014 10:21 pm

Associated Press

CHARLESTON — 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).

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