10 for 10: Men's Hoops Wins 10th Straight Game and Sweeps Murray for First Time Since 2002-03

BOX SCORE

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State's men's basketball team used its stifling defense once again at Johnson Arena Thursday night as the Eagles shut down visiting Murray State to win 66-56 and collect the team's 10th consecutive victory. The triumph also marked the first regular-season sweep over the Racers since 2002-03.

The Eagles' (14-6/11-2 OVC) winning streak is the best since an 11-game streak in 2009-10 and is the third best winning streak in program history, trailing the 1983-84 team's program record of 12 by just two games. Morehead State also continued its string of winning by double digits, marking seven straight for the first time in program history (since 1929-30).

Murray State entered the night averaging 78 points per game but Morehead State quelled the Racers to their second lowest output of the year, trailing only a 55-point night at Belmont. The Eagles held the Racers to 56 in the first meeting on Jan. 2 in Murray.

Freshman forward Johni Broome recorded his sixth double-double of the season with team-bests of 16 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four blocked shots. Junior guards Skyelar Potter, DeVon Cooper and KJ Hunt, Jr., all chipped in 12 points, and the defense held the Racers' two leading scorers (KJ Williams and Tevin Brown) to just three points combined in the second half. Williams, who finished with seven points, was held without a shot attempt in the final half after scoring 26, 18 and 25 in his last three games, respectively. Brown did lead the Racers with 13 points but was forced to shoot 4-of-17 overall.

Meanwhile, the Eagles hit 55 percent for the night, the third consecutive game better than 50 percent field goal accuracy.

KEY MOMENTS

- A pair of Hunt free throws with 10:59 left in the game had the Eagles on top 50-38.
- Murray State made a run and trimmed its deficit to only 52-48 with 6:45 remaining.
- But just moments later, after a defensive rebound by sophomore guard Ta'lon Cooper, Hunt nailed a three-pointer and Potter nailed a triple at the 4:31 mark to push the lead back to 10 (48-38).
- After a three-pointer by Justice Hill cut the Eagle lead back under double-digits, Broome slammed home a dunk at 2:39 to thwart any Racer comeback thoughts.
- Hunt's jumper with 12:05 left in the first half catapulted the Eagles to their largest opening period lead at 17-8.
- Brown knocked down a three-ball at 8:00 to give the Racers their first lead since 5-4. Murray State went on to lead by as much as 33-26 before the Eagles scored the half's final six points. It ended up being just the second game this year where Morehead State trailed at the half and rallied to win.

KEY STATS

- Morehead State forced Murray State into just 9-for-28 from the floor in the second half.
- Broome posted his second consecutive double-double.
- The Eagles held a decisive 39-21 advantage on rebounds. The OVC's top rebound margin team has now out-rebounded four of the last five teams by double digits.
- Morehead State swatted away nine Murray State shots. It's the fourth game this season with nine or more rejections.
- The Eagles outscored the Racers 42-18 on points in the paint.

UP NEXT

The Eagles will look for win No. 11 in a row on Saturday when Austin Peay visits. Game time is 2 p.m. - moved up when the women's game was postponed.