January 7, 2010

Late run lifts Morehead State to 77-64 OVC win in Eblen Center

Morehead State erased a six-point halftime deficit and used a late flurry to open a lead on the way to a 77-64 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Tennessee Tech Thursday night in the Eblen Center.

EKU Colonels visit Eblen Center Saturday for doubleheader

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Morehead State erased a six-point halftime deficit and used a late flurry to open a lead on the way to a 77-64 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Tennessee Tech Thursday night in the Eblen Center.

The visiting Eagles had a 35-27 rebounding advantage and outscored Tech 16-7 in second-chance points to improve to 9-6 overall and 4-1 in the OVC. Tech’s record slipped to 7-8 overall and 1-3 inside the league.

It was Morehead State’s 1,000th win.

Junior Kenneth Faried led MSU with 20 points, 14 rebounds, two blocked shots and three steals. It was his ninth double-double of the season. Four players scored in double digits for Morehead State. In addition to Faried, Demonte Harper added 15 while Maze Stallworth and Terrance Hill netted 12 apiece.

The Golden Eagles, who shot better than 50 percent for the sixth straight game, finished the contest connecting on 55.3 percent (25-for-46).

Senior Elijah Muhammad led Tech in scoring with 16 points, one of four players in double figures. Sophomore Kevin Murphy scored 15 points and topped the home team in assists with three. Frank Davis finished with 11 points and Jud Dillard added 10. Freshman Terrell Barnes (photo) led Tech in rebounding with five.

Morehead State also capitalized on 14 Tech miscues, scoring 29 points off turnovers while Tech had 11 points off 10 MSU turnovers.

The game swayed toward the visitors with about five minutes to play when Morehead State surged from a six-point lead to a 17-point bulge with an 11-0 run. That run included points from six different Eagles and when it was over, MSU was on top 70-53 with 3:55 to play, the largest lead of the contest.

Morehead State broke out to a 7-0 lead and had its largest lead of the first half at 10-2 with just four minutes gone.

The Golden Eagles answered with an 11-4 run, capped by a layup from Muhammad to make it a one-point game at 14-13. A free throw by Murphy tied the game at 20-20, and another charity toss from the sophomore lifted Tech into a lead for the first time in the contest with 5:37 to play in the half.

The Golden Eagles got back-to-back 3-pointers from Davis on the way to a 10-point lead, reached on a dunk by freshman Jud Dillard with 1:27 on the clock. MSU scored the final two baskets of the half to head to the intermission down by six, 33-27.

Tech’s lead grew to eight on the opening possession of the second half, but MSU outscored the Golden Eagles 14-6 over the next five minutes to tie the game at 41-41. The Eagles nursed a slim lead for eight minutes, setting the stage for their late run toward the victory.

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels will visit Eblen Center Saturday night for another OVC doubleheader, with the women’s game tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game to follow at 7:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or call (931) 372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online at TTUsports.com.