Murray State to retire Hayes' #23

WBB: Hayes will be honored at halftime of Saturday's men's game with MTSU

Ashley Hayes helped lead Murray State to their only NCAA Tournament trip in 2008. (Photo: Murray State Athletics)

For just the second time in the history of Murray State’s women’s basketball program, a former player’s number is about to retired.

Murray State announced Tuesday that Ashley Hayes’ #23 will officially be retired at halftime of the men’s game with Middle Tennessee State on Saturday.

Sheila Smith, the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,287 points, is the only other former Murray State player to have her number retired. Hayes, who scored 2,007 points in her career, currently has the fourth-most points in Racer history.

In 2008, Hayes led Murray State to their first and only trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Here’s a look at some of Hayes’ career accomplishments:

• 2008 and 2009 OVC Player of the Year

• Led the team in scoring and rebounding in both 2008 (18.4 points and 8. 4 rebounds) and 2009 (22.6 points and 9.5 rebounds)

• 723 points in 2008-09 was the most in a single-season in Murray State history

• Murray State’s single-game scoring leader with 46 points against Tennessee State on February 4, 2009

• 34 career double-doubles

• Inducted into Murray State’s Hall of Fame in 2016