Morehead, Ky.-- A late surge by Eastern Illinois was too much for Morehead State and the Eagles fell 67-62 Saturday in Johnson Arena in Morehead State's home finale for the season.
A Kade Ruegsegger three-pointer with 10:16 to go put Morehead State (14-15/ 9-9 OVC) up 47-35, their largest lead of the afternoon. Two Tyler Brelsford free throws put the Eagles up 51-40 with 7:29 left.
Eastern Illinois (10-19/ 6-12 OVC) went on a 13-2 run capped by an Artese Stapleton layup to put the Panthers up 55-54. Brelsford answered for the Eagles with a three-pointer to put MSU back ahead 57-55 with 2:06 to go.
EIU responded with a 5-0 run and never trailed again. The Panthers hit seven of eight free throws down the stretch to seal the win. In the final ten minutes of the game, MSU committed eight turnovers.
The Panthers shot 15-26 (57%) in the second half, while Morehead State went 11-26 (42%) from the floor. For the game, EIU shot 44% from the field, while MSU shot 39%.
Brelsford and Kenny White, Jr., led Morehead State with 14 points apiece. Steven Clay added 10.
EIU was led by Nakyel Shelton with 25 points. Obadiah Curtis finished with 14 and Artese Stapleton added 13.
The first half was a grinding affair, with neither team able to consistently score. MSU went nine of 26 from the floor (37%) while Eastern Illinois shot just seven of 24 (29%) for the opening 20 minutes, and the Eagles took a 25-22 lead into the half.
