MURRAY, Ky. -- Ja Morant scored a career-best 29 points with 13 rebounds and 12 assists to lead Murray State past Missouri State 77-66 on Saturday night.
Morant was 9 of 18 from the field including six from long range for the Racers (3-0). Shaq Buchanan added 20 points and three assists.
The Racers lunged to a 20-6 start with the help of two 3-pointers by Morant and a dunk by Anthony Smith and led all the way, building to a 35-25 advantage at the break.
Tevin Brown nailed a 3-pointer and Morant and Brion Sanchious dunked as part of a 9-4 surge to open the second half that gave Murray State a 44-29 lead.