Men's Hoops Uses Paint Points and Scores Off Boyce Mistakes to Give Mattox First Career Coaching Win

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State men's basketball used a hefty advantage in the specialty stats Wednesday night to eventually distance itself and defeat visiting Boyce College (Ky.) 89-48. The win was historic for new bench boss Jonathan Mattox, his first as a collegiate head coach.

MSU (1-1) totaled 54 points in the paint, 28 points off Boyce mistakes, 28 fast-break points and 35 points off the bench. While the three-point shooting wasn't stellar (5-for-24), the Eagles used their size and speed advantage to shoot 48 percent for the game. MSU also gained a 46-31 advantage in rebounding.

Four Eagles dotted double-figures in the points column, led by graduate transfer Tyler Brelsford with 16 markers. Senior Kenny White, Jr., scored 15 - his second straight game in double digits. Graduate student Kade Ruegsegger helped MSU on the glass with a team-high 10 rebounds and completed the double-double with 10 points, while point guard Jalen Breazeale scored 10 as well. 

Ruesgsegger also added a team-high four assists and four steals. The Eagles forced 21 Boyce turnovers.

After a slight;ly slow shooting start, MSU took the lead for good at 6-5 with 16:28 left in the first after White's layup. A couple of Boyce free throws at 8:55 had them within 25-20, but the Eagles proceeded to push it out using a 14-2 run. Sophomore Trent Scott's free toss at 3:16 pushed the margin to 39-22. 

A couple of second-haf flurries had MSU leading by 30+ for most of the final 20 minutes, and the final 89-48 margin turned out to be the Eagles' largest lead of the night.

Louisville transfer Josh Sangalli led the Bulldogs with 12 points. 

Morehead State's next test is at No. 20 Cincinnati Friday night at 7 p.m. ET.