December 8, 2001

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Murray State held off a late Virginia Tech comeback and defeated the Hokies, 66-63, in the first round of the Jim Thorpe Classic at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky., on Friday night. The loss drops the Hokies to 5-3 overall, while Murray State moves to 5-2.

Tech led by as many as 11 points in the first half and held a 30-28 lead at intermission. The Hokies increased the lead to 46-41 with 12:34 remaining, but Murray State went on a 22-9 run over the next 12 minutes and led 63-55 with :30 remaining. Three-point field goals by junior Brian Chase (Washington, D.C.) and senior Joe Hamilton (Fountain Inn, S.C.) cut the MSU lead to three points, but the Hokies could get no closer.

Chase led all scorers with a team-season-high 24 points, including a career-high seven three-point field goals. Senior Carlton Carter (Trenton, N.J.) and sophomore Bryant Matthews (Columbia, S.C.) each had 10 points in the loss for Tech. Antoine Whelchel led the Racers with 22 points.

Tech's leading scorer, sophomore Carlos Dixon (Salisbury, N.C.), played 12 minutes in the first half. He was questionable for the game due to a stress fracture in his right foot. He was unable to return to action in the second half and his availability for Saturday night will also be a game-time decision.

Virginia Tech returns to action on Saturday night, as they face Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the tournament's consolation game at 5:30 p.m. Host Louisville and Murray State will meet in the finals at 8 p.m. Louisville defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the first game Friday night, 90-75.