BOX SCORE
MOREHEAD, KY --Â Alex Gross collected a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Morehead State men's basketball team over the Tennessee State Tigers 74-64 at home Thursday.
In addition to Gross' double-double, the Eagles (18-10, 11-4 OVC) were led by Branden Maughmer, who totaled 12 points and three steals, and by Mark Freeman, who added 19 points. Gross also swatted away a career-high five shots to keep his lead in the OVC for blocked shots. Jake Wolfe had a double-figure game as well, with 12 points.
With the win, MSU sets itself up to try to clinch at least a share of its first OVC regular season title since 2002-03. A win Saturday over Lindenwood will accomplish that feat.
Morehead State out-rebounded Tennessee State 42-28 in Thursday's game, led by Gross' 13 boards.
Morehead State did a great job disrupting Tennessee State shots in the contest, coming away with eight blocks. MSU held one of the OVC's leading scorers, Jr., Clay to just nine points on 4-of-18 shooting.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 19-15 advantage, Morehead State went on a 9-0 run with 6:45 left in the first half to increase its lead to 28-15. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 34-24 advantage. Morehead State did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 22 of its 34 points close to the basket.
The Tigers proceeded to tie things up at 50-50 before Morehead State went on a 10-0 run, finished off by Wolfe's three, to seize a 60-50 lead with 5:48 to go in the contest. The Eagles held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 74-64 win. Morehead State got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 10 of its 40 total points.
Game Notes
» Alex Gross notched a double-double for the Eagles with 19 points and 13 rebounds, his sixth double-double and second in as many games.
» Morehead State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Morehead State had a 42-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Eagles were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying eight blocks as a team.
» Morehead State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Alex Gross and Mark Freeman led the Eagles with 19 points each.
» Morehead State got a game-high 13 rebounds from Alex Gross.
Up Next
The Eagles go for the season sweep and the OVC co-title (at least) on Saturday versus Lindenwood at home at 3 p.m. ET.
