BOX SCORE
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State Men's Basketball junior guard
Steven Clay scored all 16 of his season-high points in the second half, and the Eagles used a hefty scoring advantage in the final 20 minutes to pull away and defeat Kentucky Christian 86-63 Sunday afternoon at Johnson Arena.
The Eagles (4-6) outscored the Knights 52-37 in the final half and shot 50 percent. MSU managed to hit 46 percent for the game and had 20 assists and six blocked shots. Clay, whose previous season high was just four, hit five of eight total shots and a trio of three-pointers to account for his team-high points. Point guard
Jalen Breazeale also dotted double figures as he cashed in 10 points.
In a game where 11 players saw action, the Eagles got 50 of their 86 points from the non-starters. The Eagles also had a stout 46-22 advantage in points scored in the paint and dominated the rebounding effort, leading 49-25.
Trent Scott led on the boards with a career-high 11, while
Kade Ruegsegger pulled in eight. MSU grabbed 19 of its rebounds off the offensive glass. The six rejections was also a season team-best, including a career-high four by
George Marshall.
Jayden Loydd led KCU with 15 points.
Although the Knights never led in the game, the Eagles had a tough tie keeping them at bay in the first 20 minutes. KCU tied the game 17-all once and never trailed by double digits. At the half, MSU finally found a little separation, leading 34-26.Â
MSU finally distanced itself at the start of the final half. MSU Led 36-33 with 17:41 remaining but an 11-0 run sparked the runaway. At 8:34 the home team was on top by 24 (69-45) following two
Jerone Morton free throws. The biggest lead came at 86-61 in the final minute after Morton's triple.
Clay scored 11 of his 16 points during a three-minute span from the 15 to 12 mark in that half.
MSU opens Ohio Valley Conference action on Thursday when its hosts UT Martin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
