Murray St defeats UIC 77-81
Murray St Edges UIC in Thrilling Comeback Victory
Credit Union 1 Arena, Chicago, IL - January 2, 2026
In a dramatic turn of events, Murray State University outlasted host University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) 81-77 on the road, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. The Racer's thrilling comeback capped off an emotionally charged conference matchup.
With UIC leading 40-36 at halftime, the Thunderbirds seemed poised to take control. However, Murray State rallied behind a potent offense and stifling defense, erasing the deficit in the second half. By the final buzzer, Murray St had emerged victorious, claiming its first win over UIC since 2018.
Murray St's standout performance was fueled by Fred King, who dominated on both ends of the floor. The senior big man amassed an impressive 18 points and 16 rebounds, providing a crucial boost to his team's efforts.
The key factor in Murray State's success lay in its ability to contain UIC's scoring machine, Ahmad Henderson II. Despite the junior guard's best efforts, he managed just 22 points on 0-for-4 three-point shooting, marking a rare off-night for the talented scorer.
In contrast, Fred King's balanced performance showcased his all-around skills, as he shot an impressive 72.7% from the field and controlled the boards with ease.
The game's back-and-forth nature kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout, with both teams trading baskets and displaying tenacious defense. The largest lead either team enjoyed came when UIC held a six-point advantage early in the first half, only to see Murray State claw its way back into contention.
In the end, it was Murray St's resilience that proved decisive, as the Thunderbirds closed out the game with a 4-point margin of victory.
Game Stats:
* Field Goals: Murray St (40.0%), UIC (41.0%)
* Three-Point Shooting: UIC (33.0%), Murray St (33.0%)
* Free Throws: Murray St (86.0%), UIC (81.0%)
* Rebounds: Murray St (43.9%), UIC (42.9%)
* Turnovers: Murray St (19.2%), UIC (20.5%)
With this thrilling victory, the Thunderbirds have taken a crucial step towards securing their place in conference contention.