The Murray State Racers let a second half lead slip away in a 55-47 loss at Arkansas State at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark. The Racers used five straight points from Danero Thomas to take an 11-3 lead at the 14:20 mark of the half. With 4:55 before the half, the Racers took their largest lead of the half at 24-14 when Danero Thomas made a block and Tony Easley found Kevin Thomas for an easy basket. After ASU cut the lead to five, Danero Thomas posted up and hit a short jumper for a 26-19 MSU lead with 2:05 before half. But ASU closed the gap to 26-23 before Kevin Thomas fed Ivan Aska for a lay up just before the buzzer sounded and the Racers had a 28-23 lead at the half.

In the second half, MSU had a seven point lead with 14:33 left when Danero Thomas made a baseline drive for a 36-29 lead, but it wasn’t long before the Racers began to struggle on offense. ASU cut the MSU lead to one with 11:50 remaining, before the two began to trade baskets. Aska got loose for a dunk for a 40-39 MSU lead with 8:25 left, but ASU answered with a bucket by Shawn Morgan for a one point lead at 41-40 with 8:00 to go. ASU hit three of four free throws in two trips to lead 46-41 with 4:46 remaining.  When ASU’s Morgan score inside with 3:12 left, the Racers were behind 49-43 and the Red Wolves run was 10-3 over a 5:13 minute stretch after MSU had a one point lead with 8:25 left.

Donald Boone scored on a put-back with 1:51 left and the Racers were down 51-45, but got a tip in by Aska with 1:21 left cut the lead back to four. The Racers were down by eight at 55-47 when ASU scored on a long run-out pass on an inbounds play and got two free throws with 59 seconds left. MSU was outscored 16-7 in the final 8:25 of the game after having their last lead at 40-39. Danero Thomas led the Racers with 16 points, with Aska adding 13. The Racers were hot from the field in the opening half hitting 48 percent (12-25), but went cold in the second half shooting 26 percent (7-26).  ASU was cold in the first half shooting 26 percent (7-26), but rebounded with 47 percent (10-21). The Racers lost the rebounding battled 37-28.  MSU returns home Saturday to host the 146 meeting with Western Kentucky at the Regional Special Events Center.  It is “Get the Red Out” Night when the game begins at 7 p.m.