Murray State women win MVC Tournament, earn NCAA bid

Racers defeat Evansville 91-70 for second straight conference title

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:50pm

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The top-seeded Murray State Racers defeated the 10th-seeded Evansville Purple Aces 91-70 on Sunday to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Halli Poock scored 33 points for Murray State, which has now won 15 straight games under coach Rechelle Turner. Shamecce Currie-Jelks added a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Racers, who are making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.

Why it matters

Murray State's victory extends the team's impressive winning streak and secures the program's second-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The Racers have emerged as a mid-major power in women's college basketball, posing a potential threat to higher-seeded teams in the Big Dance.

The details

Murray State jumped out to a 16-4 lead in the first 5:15 of the game, thanks to 3-pointers from Halli Poock and Haven Ford. Poock finished with 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range. Shamecce Currie-Jelks recorded a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, while also dishing out 7 assists. The Racers led by as many as 26 points in the second half, outscoring Evansville 24-17 in the third quarter to pull away.

  • The MVC Tournament championship game was played on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Halli Poock

A standout player for the Murray State Racers, Poock scored 33 points in the MVC Tournament final.

Shamecce Currie-Jelks

The Murray State forward recorded a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds in the championship game.

Rechelle Turner

The head coach of the Murray State Racers, Turner has led the team to back-to-back MVC Tournament titles in her ninth season.

Mireia Mustaros

The top scorer for the Evansville Purple Aces, Mustaros came off the bench to score 16 points in the final.

Haven Ford

The Murray State guard hit four 3-pointers and scored 18 points in the championship game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.