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EIU	25	38	63

Game Recap: Men’s Basketball | 2/22/2023 10:25:00 PM

Champions! Men’s Hoops Shoots 52 Percent From Deep, Secures Outright OVC Title With Win at EIU

BOX SCORE

CHARLESTON, IL —The Morehead State men’s basketball team shot 52 percent from beyond the arc on the way to a 69-63 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers on the road Wednesday as MSU secured its first outright Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title since 1983-84.

With the win, MSU will be the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. 1983-84 was also the last time MSU was the No. 1 seed. MSU also movedto 20-10 overall, just the second time in program history with three straight 20-win seasons.

The Eagles (20-10, 13-4 OVC) had four players score in double figures, led by Kalil Thomas, who had 20 points. Branden Maughmer added 12 points from the bench and Jake Wolfechipped in as well with 11 points. Alex Grossalso dotted double figures with 10 points.

Morehead State did a stellar job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 19 assists while turning the ball over just eight times. Mark Freeman’s eight assists were the most for the Eagles.

How It Happened
After jumping out to a 22-15 advantage, Morehead State went on an 8-0 run with 6:40 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Thomas, to increase its lead to 30-15. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 39-25 advantage. Morehead State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 39 points.

Following intermission, Morehead State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 58-42 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Thomas’ three, to grow the lead to 65-42 with 6:27 to go in the contest. The Panthers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Eagles still cruised the rest of the way for the 69-63 win. Morehead State shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting six shots from deep to score 18 of its 30 points.

Game Notes
» The Eagles made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 13 of 25 shots.
» Morehead State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Eagles put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 73 percent of made baskets.
» Morehead State had a 29-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» Morehead State turned the ball over eight times while dishing out 19 assists.
» Kalil Thomas led the Eagles with a game-high 20 points.
» Morehead State got five rebounds from both Alex Gross and Kalil Thomas.