Eastern Illinois hit a dry spell from the field late in the game on Saturday while Morehead State converted their opportunities as the Eagles edged EIU 73-68 at Johnson Arena.

The Panthers held the lead for a good portion of the second half after the score was tied 35-35 at the half with Preston Turner scoring 14 of his team high 18 points in the opening half.

EIU was able to push its lead to five points with 13:03 to play as Prince Johnson had a put-back basket ending a 5-0 Panthers run and giving EIU a 49-44 advantage.

Chase Dawson gave Morehead State the lead with 4:01 to play on a driving lay-up putting the Eagles up 65-64.  Dawson had 18 points as one of four Morehead State players in double figures.  Morehead State hit its final three field goals shooting 52.2 percent for the game.

EIU was able to make some free throws over the final four minutes to remain close but missed five straight shots from the field over the final five minutes until Meechie White ended that drought with a bucket in the final 30 seconds.

Morehead State made free throws when it counted down the stretch going 21-of-24 from the field.  George Marshall closed the game with four straight scoring 12 points.

Kooper Jacobi joined Turner in double figures with 13 points.   The Panthers were 20-of-24 from the line as they are 9-12 overall, 5-5 in the OVC.

Morehead State improved to 11-10 overall, 7-3 I the OVC.  Anouar Mellouk had a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds.