The Murray State women’s basketball team opens its 2026-27 campaign on Monday night with a road matchup against Southern Indiana, tipping off at 6 p.m. inside Screaming Eagle Arena in Evansville, Indiana.
Monday’s opener revives an instant classic from a year ago. The Racers and Screaming Eagles started last season’s slate against each other in a thrilling 79-77 contest decided by Haven Ford’s buzzer-beater.
Murray State enters the new year carrying substantial momentum after capturing back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference titles. Last season culminated in a program-record 31-win campaign.
Murray State Claims Top Spot in Preseason Poll
The league office announced on October 13 that Murray State was picked first in the Missouri Valley Conference 2026-27 preseason poll, commanding 41 of 44 first-place votes.
That high regard rests on a remarkably intact roster. The Racers return four of their five starters from a year ago, featuring Halli Poock, Haven Ford, Keslyn Secrist, and Sharnecce Currie-Jelks. All four players landed spots on the MVC Preseason watch list.
Offensive productivity remains a hallmark of Coach Rechelle Turner’s program. Murray State has finished inside the top five nationally in scoring offense in each of the last two seasons, averaging greater than 85 points per game across back-to-back championship campaigns.
Players Secure National Award Watch List Nods
Individual accolades match the team’s lofty profile. Poock, Ford, and Currie-Jelks earned selections to the 2027 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year watch list, making Murray State the nation’s leader with three players featured.
Currie-Jelks also secured a spot on the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award Watchlist. She stands as one of 20 players nationally and the only mid-major player to make that cut. Meanwhile, Coach Rechelle Turner landed on the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year watch list for the second consecutive season.
Fresh energy arrives alongside that veteran core. MSU welcomes six newcomers to the roster, including transfers Claire Johnson and Sydney Huber alongside freshmen Katie Reed, Mary Grant, Alli Linke, and Sophie Terry.
Fans Access Multiple Live Media Feeds
Fans unable to make the trip to Evansville can follow the action through multiple live media feeds. Jeremy Rose handles the call on Racer Radio via 97.9 WNBS, while television coverage streams live on ESPN+. Live statistics are available through GoRacers.com and StatBroadcast.com.
