CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Cameron Payne scored seven points in the final 1:22 to carry Murray State to a 70-66 comeback victory on Thursday night at Eastern Illinois.
Payne’s basket with 1:21 left gave the Racers the lead for good at 63-62. His 3-pointer on the next Racers possession made it a four-point lead with 22 seconds to go.
After a layup by Sherman Blanford cut the score to 66-64, Payne made both free throws with 14 seconds left to push the Racers back up by four.
Reggie Smith’s missed 3-pointer with 9 seconds left was the last chance for the Panthers to keep it close, and T.J. Sapp made two free throws to seal the win for Murray State.