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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State used a 11-0 run to open the second half as the Eagles broke open a close game to beat Eastern Illinois 85-75 on Thursday night at Johnson Arena.
MSU improved to 5-10 overall, 1-1 in the OVC . EIU fell to 8-7 overall, 0-2 in the OVC as the Panthers will play at Eastern Kentucky at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The first half had 12 lead changes and five ties as MSU led 39-36 at the half.
Xavier Moon had four points with an assist during the second half run as he finished with 25 points and nine assists. A number of Moon's assists ended in the hands of Treshaad Williams as he scored 22 points going 8-of-8 from the floor.
Ray Crossland ended Eagles run with a jumper with 15:48 to play in the game. Crossland was one of three Panthers in double figures finishing with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Morehead State extended its lead to 16 points with 13:46 to play in the game on the first of two DeJuan Marrero low post jumpers. The Eagles finished with a 42-30 rebounding margin and a 40-12 points in the paint advantage. Marrero had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
EIU closed Morehead State's lead down to eight points three times in the second half but could not overcome that early second half run by the Eagles.
Montell Goodwin led EIU with 23 points knocking down five 3-pointers.
Cornell Johnston finished with 12 points and seven assists. EIU finished the game shooting 39 percent from the floor.
Morehead State finished the game shooting 51 percent as the Eagles only turned the ball over four times in the second half.