Men's Hoops Can't Keep Up as Presbyterian Pulls Away for 80-72 Win

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Another encouraging first-half performance didn't carry over into the final 20 minutes for the Morehead State Men's Basketball team as the Eagles dropped an 80-72 decision at Presbyterian's Templeton Center Saturday afternoon.

MSU (3-7) dropped its third straight game after leading 42-39 at the break. The Eagles nailed 60 percent of their field goals in the opening period, but cooled off to just 34 percent in the final half and shot less than 30 percent for much of the half. MSU was also doubled up in the rebounding category, 44-22. PC improved to 6-6 and won its first-ever game over MSU after dropping the three previous meetings.

George Marshall topped MSU in points, scoring 16 and hitting a quartet of three-pointers. Anouar Mellouk tied his season high with 13 markers, and Josiah LeGree also tied his high-water mark for the season with 13 points. Tyonne Farrell scored a season-best nine, and Marshall led the Eagles in rebounds with six - his second straight game with six.

Morehead State limited its turnovers to just 10, but the Blue Hose turned that into 20 points. MSU forced 17 PC mistakes but could only generate 17 points via the miscues of the home squad.

Carl Parish led a quintet of Blue Hose players with 10+ points as he had 18. Jonah Pierce put up a double-double with 11 points and a game-best 16 rebounds.

MSU was able to build a five-point (22-17) lead in the mid-point of the opening half following a pair of Chase Dawson free throws. But, PC erased that right away. Marshall canned a three-ball as time expired in the half to give his team a 42-39 cushion in the locker room.

The home team scored the first six of the second half. MSU had the game within two on several occasions, including 58-56 with 8:33 left, but a 10-0 run by the Blue Hose effectively put the game out of reach, leading by 12.

The Eagles wound up shooting 44 percent (26-of-58) for the day but allowed 51 percent efficiency to PC.

MSU has 10 days off now before opening conference action at home versus Little Rock on Dec. 16.