MOREHEAD, Ky. –– Morehead State men’s basketball shot 51 percent in the second half and shook off visiting Kentucky Christian Monday in the 2021-22 home opener as the Eagles outscored the Knights by 17 in the final 20-minute span to win 82-57.
The Eagles (1-2) had significant advantages in points in the paint (54-32), rebounds (53-29), second-chance points (27-2) and points off turnovers (23-10) as they improved to 10-0 all-time against the NAIA school from 35 miles east.
Second-year big man Johni Broome posted his second consecutive double-double and 15th of his career with 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. Broome registered 10 points, 10 rebounds and all five of his career-high five blocked shots in the second half.
The Eagles also got a double-digit effort of 12 points off the bench from third-year man Tyzhaun Claude, who missed the entire 2020-21 campaign with an injury. Claude, who hit five of his six shots, also had five rebounds and two rejections. Grad transfer Tray Hollowell notched his second straight 10-point output as all 11 Eagles who dressed saw action.
MSU struggled to shake the Knights in the first half, hitting only 36 percent and going 4-of-17 from three-point range as they finally took a 37-29 lead into the locker room. Sophomore guard Ta’lon Cooper hit only three shots tonight but distributed a season-high six assists.
The Eagles’ momentum picked up in the final half, eventually taking as much as a 27-point lead with 5:15 remaining after Claude’s layup. While MSU did make 15 turnovers, the Eagles did force 22 mistakes from KCU.
KCU was led by Kourtney Ware, who had a game-high 24 points off the bench.
MSU returns to action at home Thursday as Transylvania (Ky.) visits at 7:30 p.m. ET.