Box Score By Kevin Farr
Murray State Sports Information
EDMOND, Okla. – The new-look Murray State Aggies put on a defensive clinic over the final five minutes on Monday evening, scoring the game's final 12 points on the way to a season-opening 62-50 win over McLennan College in the 6^th Annual Elite 8 Basketball Festival.

Murray State trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half before a 16-0 flurry gave the Aggies a 30-29 edge at intermission. They held the Highlanders scoreless for a whopping eight and a half minutes during the run.

A Rustin Coffey three pointer started the 16-point flurry while Elijah Tshibangu caught fire from field and the inside combination of Bol Agu and Abeeng Agot caused havoc on the McLennan offense, limiting any second chance opportunities.

The back-and-forth second half resulted in a 50-all deadlock with just under five minutes remaining and that's when the Aggies kicked it into another finishing gear.

Brandon Ivery's putback with 4:14 left put Murray State ahead to stay and Agu followed with a key defensive rebound and steal before feeding RJ Chatman for a layup.

An Ivery pull up jumper from 12 feet push the lead to 56-50 and he followed with a pair of steals that virtually took all the steam out of the Highlanders, who entered the contest with a 2-0 record.

Chatman then canned four free throws in the final 70 seconds to seal the triumph, ending the half with all 12 of his points for the game.

Tshibangu was the only other Aggie double-figure scorer in the tight defensive battle with 21 points, but they got key offensive contributions from six other sources.

Ivery tallied eight, Coffey and Devon MacCollister posted five apiece, Agu and Chanon Frye each tossed in four points with Agot adding two.

"I was really proud of our defense and resilience tonight," head coach Josh Davis commented. "We had to step up on that end because I didn't think we played very well offensively, but some of that has to do with McLennan. They are an extremely good team and to hold them scoreless for those long periods was very impressive.  The guys played with incredible effort, and I am super proud of them. It was a hard-fought win and a great way to open the season.

"RJ hit some big shots when we needed them in the second half and Ivery was extremely resilient even though he missed some shots that he normally makes. He made plays in other areas for us though when they had to be made. That's the mark of an extremely good player."

The Aggies face another big test in the prestigious early season event on Tuesday when they face Frank Phillips College at 6 p.m. The Plainsmen improved to 2-0 on the season with its 78-59 triumph over Blinn College to start the festival.