BOX SCORE
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Senior guard
Jordan Walker scored a team-high 22 points and also nabbed seven rebounds, but Morehead State's men's basketball team fell behind big in the first half and could not fully recover Saturday in a 72-51 setback at Jacksonville State's Pete Mathews Coliseum.
The Eagles, who were even with the Gamecocks in the second period at 29-29, slipped behind 43-22 after the first 20 minutes. MSU is now 3-5 in the OVC and 9-12 overall.
Walker, who sits at No. 19 on MSU's career points list, upped his total to 1,365. he needs just 18 more to pass Kyle Umberger (1998-01) into 18th place.
The Eagles will look to halt a four-game losing skid Thursday when Southeast Missouri visits for a 7 p.m. ET matchup.
KEY MOMENTS
- JSU scored the game's first seven points and was on top 12-1 when Walker drained the first of his three triples.
- Jacarra Cross' layup with 1:27 left in the first half pushed the Eagle deficit to its largest of the half at 43-19.
- Walker, sophomore
Jaden Stanley-Williams and freshman
Tyzhaun Claude scored buckets as the Eagles netted the second half's first six points.
- Two free throws by junior
James Baker brought MSU to within its closest deficit in the second half (47-33) with 14:37 remaining.
KEY STATS
- Despite a 33 percent shooting total in the first half, the Eagles hit 42 percent (11-of-26) in the final 20 minutes of action.
- Walker also added three assists and three steals.
- Morehead State, which leads the conference in fewest turnovers, made 18 floor mistakes in today's game.
- Freshman
Ta'lon Cooper made his first career start in place of Juice Thomas, who had to sit out with illness, and had a team-best four assists.
- Kayne Henry erupted for 23 points and 16 rebounds for the home team.
QUOTING COACH SPRADLIN
"We are just having a tough time scoring right now. But this team is alright. We are going to work hard and correct the things we need to and make the adjustments we need to so we can play much better as a team going forward."
