BOX SCORE (HTML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.—Kenneth Faried got something totally unexpected at an away game – a standing ovation.
Faried set the NCAA modern era career rebounding mark with his seventh rebound Saturday and led MSU to a 71-65 non-conference win at Indiana State in the ESPNU Bracketbuster event. It was the Eagles’ ninth straight win and first-ever in a Bracketbuster or bracketbuster return game.
The crowd came to their feet for Faried, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, also tied Malik Rose of Drexel for fifth on the career double-doubles list with 80 as the Eagles improved to 21-8 overall. ISU fell to 15-13.
Terrance Hill joined Faried in double-digit scoring, tallying 15 points and Demonte Harper and Lamont Austin each had 10, a career high for Austin. Harper also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out a team-high five assists.
Trailing by five out of the gate, Ty Proffitt swished a pair of threes and the first-half race was on. The Eagles surged from Proffitt’s baskets and outscored ISU 23-6 to take a 12-point lead. The Sycamores swung the momentum back in their favor and played catch-up, closing to within three on two occasions, including a triple by Jordan Printy that negated another Proffitt long-ranger. MSU got the lead to five for halftime, 31-26.
MSU started the second half hot, scoring six quick points and forcing a timeout out of ISU. The Sycamores recovered and kept it close, mostly thanks to Dwayne Lathan, who scored 15 of his game-high 25 points after halftime. He also led Indiana State with 11 rebounds.
Morehead State scored just three field goals in the final seven minutes, but two of those were treys by Harper and Hill and MSU scored nine free throws during that span to secure the win.
Printy had 12 points for ISU and Aaron Carter scored 10 points. Jake Odum dished out a game-high six assists.
The Eagles travel to Murray, Ky. to face OVC rival Murray State Thursday. That game, in which the winner will clinch a share of the OVC regular season title, will air on ESPNU live at 9:00 pm Eastern.
