MURRAY, Ky. (Interstat) — The Murray State women’s basketball team held off a late Southern Illinois rally for a 79-75 victory on Thursday night at the CFSB Center.

Sharnecce Currie-Jelks led the Racers with 20 points. Halli Poock added 21 points and Haven Ford scored 18 for Murray State, which improved to 19-3.

Alayna Kraus scored a game-high 23 points for the Salukis. Indya Green added 16 points and Kayla Cooper scored 12 for Southern Illinois, which fell to 6-13.

Murray State led by as many as 10 points in the second half. Southern Illinois closed the gap to one point in the final minute, but the Racers sealed the win at the free-throw line. Attendance was 1,494.