Ivan Aska was named MVP of the Miami portion of Coaches versus Cancer (MSU file/Weaks)
Mission accomplished.
The Murray State Racers went to Miami in search of three wins and the Racers completed the sweep on Monday with an 84-71 victory over homestanding Florida International.
"It was our goal to go out there and win three games," Racer head coach Billy Kennedy said. "We treated it like a tournament and we wanted to win all three. And to be able to do that - that's a very good thing for our basketball."
The Racers were also able to close out all three victories with stretches of dominating defensive play and halfcourt execution that stretched single-digit leads into double-digit advantages.
"Defensively, we have a chance to be very special if we put together 40 minutes every night," Kennedy said. "Our post players are better offensively than we've been in the past."
On Monday, after falling behind 16-10 at the 12:35 mark, the Racers broke it open with a 14-1 run over the next four minutes.
MSU scored on back to back fast break baskets from Danero Thomas and Ivan Aska which was followed by a steal and slam by Isaiah Canaan for a 22-16 MSU lead.
Canaan got another steal and easy basket for a 31-20 MSU lead at 5:00.
The Racers added an 8-0 run in the final 1:08 when they tallied three straight steals. In the final 12:35 of the half, MSU outscored FIU 34-10.
"We've been able to finish games and finish halves," Kennedy said. "Our depth really helps us."
Murray State sophomore forward Ivan Aska, a native of nearby Fort Laurderdale, won tournament MVP honors, while Danero Thomas was named to the all-event team along with Julius Wells of James Madison, C.J. Wilkerson of North Carolina Central and Bill Gary Jr. of FIU.
Murray State returns to the floor Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip against Tennessee Wesleyan, before opening up OVC play on December 3 against Eastern Kentucky.
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