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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State scored 29 points off eighteen Eastern Illinois turnovers as the Eagles pulled away for a 73-51 win over the Panthers on Saturday afternoon at Johnson Arena.
Morehead State won its eighth straight game to improve to 12-7 overall, 7-1 in the OVC. Eastern Illinois dropped to 10-8 overall, 4-4 in the OVC.
Morehead State was able to build an early double digit lead as Kenneth Faried had a double-double as he scored three early put-back baskets to help the Eagles build an 11-6 lead. Maze Stallworth connected on back-to-back 3-pointers, the second at 13:51 which pushed the Morehead State lead to 17-6.
MSU was 7-of-13 from 3-point range in the first half including a 3-pointer by Terrance Hill as time expired which pushed the Eagles halftime advantage to 40-27.
EIU trailed by double digits for much of the first half but was able to cut it to a nine point deficit on a Curry McKinney 3-pointer with 2:10 left in the half. McKinney led EIU with seven first half points.
EIU committed four turnovers in their first six second half possessions which MSU took advantage of with four buckets including a Brandon Shingles bucket that capped an 11-0 run at 15:29.
#T.J. Marion# stopped the Eagles run with a basket at 15:11 and Shaun Pratl added a bucket on the next EIU possession to cut the MSU lead to 48-32. EIU would get as close as 15 points in second half on a Marion free throw.
Faried finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Eagles won the battle on the boards 37-24. Seven of Faried's rebounds were on the offensive glass to help Morehead State build a 17-1 second chance point advantage.
Pratl led EIU in scoring with 15 points hitting 5-of-6 from the floor as EIU shot 44 percent from the floor.
EIU returns to action on Thursday night when they host first place Murray State at 7:30 p.m. at Lantz Arena.