MOREHEAD, Ky. – After being held to 38 percent shooting in the opening half, Morehead State connected for 58 percent in the second half as the Eagles rallied to beat Eastern Illinois, 63-50, in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams.
EIU fell to 2-12 overall, 0-1 in the OVC. MSU improved to 9-5 overall, 1-0 in the OVC.
Morehead State led by eight points in the opening half before EIU clamped down on defense. The Panthers would take their first lead of the game with 5:56 left in the first half on a runner by
Kashawn Charles that capped a 9-0 EIU run.
Henry Abraham had a late 3-pointer in the first half to score six of his eight points in the first half. EIU held a 20-13 rebound edge in the first half with
Rodolfo Bolis pulling down six rebounds. EIU led 26-23 at the break.
In the second half Morehead State dumped the ball down low to OVC preseason Player of the Year Johni Broome as he scored six quick points. Broome would finish with 21 points and ten rebounds after scoring six points in the opening half.
Broome's three point play was followed by a 3-pointer by Tray Hollowell giving the Eagles an 8-0 run to extend the Eagles lead to double figures at 46-36. Hollowell finished with 16 points.
CJ Lane would end the Morehead State run with 7:44 left in the game. Lane led EIU with 20 points going 4-of-5 from 3-point range.Â
EIU was limited to six rebounds in the second half as Morehead State ended the game with a 31-26 rebound advantage.Â
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