Murray State got points from 10 players in a 60-51 victory over Eastern Illinois on Thursday night.
Tony Easley and Ivan Aska scored 10 points apiece to lead the Racers (17-3, 9-0 Ohio Valley), who won their eighth straight and remained unbeaten in conference. The Racers' start is their best since the 1998-99 squad opened 17-2.
Jeremy Granger led all scorers with 23 for the Panthers (10-9, 4-5), who dropped their fourth in a row. Ousmane Cisse had just two points but 10 rebounds.
Murray State led 27-23 at intermission, but Granger scored five points in a row to put Eastern Illinois on top 32-31 early in the second half. It was the Panthers' last lead.
Shortly thereafter, Murray State ran off eight points in a row, ending with Jeffery McClain's tip-in with 10:46 left to make it 48-37.
Eastern Illinois cut it to six but never got closer.
