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Sandy King)
Eastern Illinois cut what had been an 11-point Morehead State lead down to two points in the final 35 seconds behind a career-high 38 points by
Nakyel Shelton, but the Panthers could not complete the comeback falling 73-66 with the game televised on ESPNU from Groniger Arena.
Shelton provided most the Panthers offense in the opening half scoring 20 of EIU's 26 first half points behind a 7-of-10 effort from the field and 3-of-3 from 3-point range. He finished the game 14-of-20 from the field and 5-of-8 from 3-point range. It was the highest scoring total by a Panthers player since Josh Gomes scored 40 in February 2004 against UT Martin.
The Panthers chipped away at the lead for most of the second half cutting it to a single possession game with 5:29 to play on a Shelton jumper. Each time Morehead State was able to answer never allowing EIU to get it to a two-point margin until 1:31 remained on free throws by
Corey Sawyer Jr.
Morehead State has balanced scoring with all five starters in double figures led by George Marshall with 24 points. The Eagles shot 52.1 percent from the field including knocking down ten 3-pointers.
Shelton cut the lead to two one final time with 35 seconds left on jumper making it 68-66. After Morehead State went 1-for-2 on free throws on the next possession, EIU was unable to knock down a shot forcing the Panthers to foul. Morehead State made four straight free throws to close out the game with two each by Anouar Mellouk and Tyler Brelsford.
EIU drops to 5-14 overall, 1-7 in the OVC. Sawyer joined Shelton in double figures with 13 points.
Morehead State improved to 13-7 overall, 8-1 in the OVC.