Eagles fall in tight one at Murray State, 62-57

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MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Morehead State men's basketball team had chances, but couldn't get clutch shots to fall, and fell at Murray State in their OVC opener, 62-57.

The Eagles have now lost six of their last seven and after a 5-1 start their record falls below .500 for the first time this season at 6-7. The Racers improved to 7-7.

"We're fighting, but we just need to find ways to win down the stretch," said head coach Sean Woods. "We just need to get better on both ends and we have to make shots down the stretch."

It was a tight game throughout, but Murray State ended the first half on a 10-4 run and the Eagles went into the locker room trailing, 29-23. 

The Eagles answered quickly to start the second half and took the lead at 37-34 with 14:09 to go on a three-pointer from the wing by junior guard Corban Collins. 

But, on the next possession, senior forward Anthony Elechi was called for his fourth foul and was forced to go to the bench after scoring six quick points to help the Eagles regain the lead.

Collins hit another shot to give the Eagles a 39-37 lead, but that would be their last lead of the game. 

Murray State then opened a seven-point lead at 57-50 with 2:36 to go on junior guard Bryce Jones' second three-pointer of the game.

But, the Eagles answered with four straight points from junior forward DeJuan Marrero. 

Following a Murray State turnover, Morehead State had a chance to tie or trim the lead, but Collins' jumper came up short and then the Racers hit two free throws on the other end to extend the lead back to five at 59-54.

Collins led the way for the Eagles with 17 points, but shot just 6-of-19 from the floor after struggling in the first half. He knocked down 4-of-6 three-point attempts. Elechi finished with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, but was held to just 21 minutes of action because of foul trouble.

Marrero nearly finished with his fourth double-double in his last five games, but fell just short with 10 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Brent Arrington added 12 points, 10 of which came in the second half.

Senior forward Wayne Langston led Murray State with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Eagles were outrebounded by the Racers, 33-28, but Morehead State outscored Murray State, 30-16, in the paint. 

Morehead State returns home next week to host Southeast Missouri and UT Martin in their first two OVC home contests. They will take on SEMO on Thursday at 6 p.m. and then UT Martin on Saturday at 6 p.m.