MURRAY, Ky. (Interstat) — Javon Jackson scored 21 points to lead Murray State to an 85-81 victory over Indiana State in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at CFSB Center.

The Racers (16-3, 4-1) built a 10-point halftime lead behind 47 first-half points but had to withstand a persistent second-half push from the Sycamores (9-10, 2-3). Indiana State’s Camp Wagner scored 20 points and Ian Scott added 14. Murray State’s Fredrick King contributed 14 points and four blocks.

A crowd of 8,083 saw the Racers maintain their home-court advantage despite being outscored 44-38 after halftime. Indiana State cut the deficit to a single possession multiple times late, but key free throws by Jackson and Layne Taylor, who had 13 points, sealed the win for Murray State.