Murray State Racers vs. Princeton Tigers

RICHMOND (Interstat) — Murray State will face Princeton in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Sunday at Robins Center in Richmond, Va., with the Racers looking to rebound from their first loss and the Tigers seeking a 3-0 start.

Princeton enters 2-0 and will be the home team. Murray State is 1-1. The Tigers have won their first two games, including a 65-57 victory at Richmond in their most recent outing. Fadima Tall led Princeton with 27 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in that game. Ashley Chea added 13 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Olivia Hutcherson contributed six points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Tall also had 29 points, 22 rebounds and one assist in Princeton’s 63-52 win against Belmont earlier this season. She is the player to watch for Princeton.

Murray State opened the season with an 82-67 win at Southern Indiana before falling 69-64 to Rice at home in its most recent game. Sharnecce Currie-Jelks had 20 points, 12 rebounds, one assist and one block against Rice after posting nine points, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks at Southern Indiana. Haven Ford added 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one block against Rice, and Claire Johnson scored nine points to go with two rebounds and one assist. Currie-Jelks is the player to watch for Murray State. The Racers have scored 82 and 64 points in their two games while allowing 67 and 69. Princeton has scored 63 and 65 while allowing 52 and 57.

The Racers will try to use their inside presence and balanced scoring to challenge Princeton, which has been strong on the boards behind Tall. Murray State’s backcourt also will need to limit Princeton’s transition chances and avoid allowing second-chance points. Princeton will aim to control tempo and feed Tall in the post while mixing in perimeter looks from Chea and Hutcherson. Both teams have played two games early in the season, and the matchup at Robins Center offers Murray State a chance to earn a road result against an unbeaten opponent. Murray State’s upcoming slate includes a home game against Morehead State, a trip to Oregon and a home meeting with Eastern Illinois. Princeton will host Villanova, travel to Pepperdine and UCLA, and return home to face George Mason.

Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a final score of Murray State 83, Princeton 67. Interstat’s ELO system is projecting Princeton with a 72.3 percent probability to win.

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