Men's Hoops Wins an Edge-of-Your-Seat Thriller Over Southern Indiana

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- George Marshall went 12-of-12 from the free throw line, including what proved to be the game-winning free tosses with 6.9 seconds left, as the Morehead State Men's Basketball team finally edged Southern Indiana 64-63 at Johnson Arena Tuesday night.

The Eagles (18-12/14-5 OVC) won their sixth straight game but had to do it by the closest of margins. USI (7-22/4-15 OVC) actually attempted a three-pointer at the final buzzer after bringing the ball up the court in 6.9 seconds, and a foul was whistled. But after a video review, the shot was deemed to have been launched after the final clock had gone to 0.0 and did not count, therefore the foul was wiped away.

Former Eagle Steven Clay, now with USI this season, buried his third three-pointer of the night with 20 seconds remaining to push the Scremaing Eagles ahead 63-62. Marshall, who had just put his team up 62-60 with 39 seconds left, drove to the basket and drew a foul on Cardell Bailey. The 83 percent career free throw shooter calmly nailed both to seal the win.

With the win, Morehead State sets itself up for a chance to claim at least share of the OVC regular season title, with a win Thursday at Little Rock in the regular-season finale.

Marshall led the team with 22 points, his fifth 20+ point effort, while Anouar Mellouk and Jon Carroll each chipped in 12 points. Carroll just missed his seventh double-double with a team-best nine rebounds. Mellouk swatted down a career-high five blocked shots.

Bailey (17) and Clay (15) led the visitors in points.

In a game that featured 12 lead changes and nine ties, neither team led by more than five in the second half. The last four meetings in the USI series, all won by MSU, have been by a combined eight points.

Morehead State was held to just 39 percent shooting after three straight games above 50 percent. But the game was won at the free throw line, where MSU hit 18-of-22. USI was only 9-of-14. USI also out-rebounded the blue and gold 36-35. 

The Eagles head to Little Rock for the Thursday tilt which starts at 8 p.m. ET.