Eagle Rally Comes up Short-MSU Falls 85-80 at IU Indy

Morehead, Ky. -- Morehead State ran into IU Indy's trademark frenetic pace and pressure defense and fell to the Jaguars 85-80 Saturday in Indianapolis.
 
Trailing 33-30 at the half, Morehead State worked up to a 41-40 lead early in the second half. IU Indy blitzed MSU with an 11-0 run to grab a 51-41 lead. IU Indy hit six of their first 10 three-point tries and forced nine turnovers in the first ten minutes in the second half.
 
Morehead State finally got going, cutting the IU Indy lead to 65-61 after a 12-0 run capped by a Legree layup with 6:20 to go. Morehead State closed to within four points late in the game but could get
no closer.
 
After going just 5-23 (22%) from three-point range in the first half, the Jaguars lit up in the second hitting nine of their 19 triples (47%). The IU Indy pressure also added up to a 25-10 edge in fast break points.
 
Morehead State (3-5) dominated on the glass, out-rebounding IU Indy (3-6) 47-31. The Eagles were also excellent at the free throw line, shooting 25-32 (78%). The Eagles were forced into 22 turnovers by the IUI pressure, resulting in a 25-11 advantage in points off turnovers for the Jaguars.
 
Jon Carroll led the Eagles with his fourth double-double of the season, posting 19 points and 11 rebounds. Davion Cunningham also posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. George Marshall finished with 16 points, hitting nine of 10 from the free throw line. Josiah Legree added 11 for the Eagles.
 
The Jaguars were led by Kyler D'Augustino with 25 points. Micah Davis added 24. Kameron Tinsley tossed in 13 and Matt Compas added 10.
 
The first half began closely contested. IU Indy started cold, hitting only one of their first nine three-point tries. The Eagles went on a 6-2 run to take a 23-17 lead, capped by an Anouar Mellouk offensive rebound a put-back with 7:49 left in half.
 
IU Indy outscored the Eagles 14-2 to go ahead 31-25, capped by D'Augustino's layup with 43 second left. D'Augustino led all scorers at the half with 15; Compas added 10. MSU was led by Legree and Carroll with seven points apiece. The Eagles shot 30% from the floor in the half, compared to 38% for the Jaguars. The Eagles went 8-12 from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes, while IU Indy failed to get to the charity stripe.
 
Morehead State will continue their road swing as they travel to western Kentucky to face off with former Ohio Valley Conference foe Murray State Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.