Men's Hoops Absorbs OVC-Opening Setback at Murray State

BOX SCORE

MURRAY, Ky. – The Morehead State men's basketball team opened Ohio Valley Conference play Thursday night by hanging tight with Murray State for the opening part of the first half, But the Racers eventually pulled away and scored a 90-69 win over the Eagles at the CFSB Center.
 
Murray State moved to 10-2, while the Eagles slipped to 4-10.
 
Senior forward Lamontray Harris finished with 19 points, his team-best 12^th game in double-figures. He also grabbed a team-best seven rebounds. Senior guard A.J. Hicks contributed 11 points, his 10^th effort of 10 or more. And sophomore guard De'von Cooper tallied his fifth double-figure scoring game with 10 points.
 
Junior guard Jordan Walker also had a big second-half (nine points) and finished with 14 points, also his 11^th game with 10 more more in the scoring column
 
The Eagles pushed ahead 20-19 at the 8:43 mark of the opening half on a bucket by Walker. But Ja Morant hit a three-pointer 30 seconds later to start a 13-2 Racer run. The Eagles were held to only two field goals the rest of the way in the opening 20-minute stanza as Murray State finished on a 26-6 run to lead 45-26 at the break.
 
Darnell Cowart led the home team with 20 points off the bench, while Morant finished with 16 points and 13 assists.
 
The Eagles continue their season-opening road trip Saturday at Austin Peay. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET.