NASHVILLE, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Isaiah Canaan led Murray State on a big run to end the first half Thursday and the No. 12 Racers rolled to an 80-62 victory over Tennessee State.
Tennessee State handed Murray State its only loss of the season Feb. 9 but the Tigers could not recover from a 14-0 run by the Racers over the last 2:49 of the opening period.
That gave Murray State a 45-28 lead at the break and it coasted from there while shooting 56 percent from the field.
The Racers, who have already wrapped up the regular-season Ohio Valley Conference title, have only a home meeting with Tennessee Tech left before the league tournament begins Feb. 29. Murray State will have a bye into the semifinals of that tourney.
Canaan made 8-of-12 from the field, five of those baskets coming from 3-point range, and scored 24 points. Donte Poole added 16 points for the Racers (27-1, 14-1 OVC).
Tennessee State (19-11, 11-5) ended its regular season. The Tigers were led by Robert Covington with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
