MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State Men's Basketball held Ohio Valley Conference leader UT Martin to just 26 percent shooting and only 15 percent on three-pointers as the Eagles gutted out a 61-55 road win over the Skyhawks at the Elam Center Saturday.
MSU improved to 13-12 overall and 9-4 in the OVC, while handing the Skyhawks just their third league loss. UTM is now 19-6 and 11-3 in the conference. MSU also prevented UTM from sweeping the season series. UTM hasn't swept the Eagles since 2005-06.
" I am really proud of our guys. Proud of how they responded to adversity in-game," said head coach
Jonathan Mattox. " Really proud of our effort. We were able to get a lead and finally hold on to it."
The key run came starting with 5:59 remaining as the teams were tied 43-all. For the next 2:06, MSU went on a 7-0 run and never trailed again.
George Marshall, who led the Eagles with 16 points, hit a three-pointer and a pair of free throws.
Vince Dawson III hit a turnaround jumper to account for the seventh point. UTM only managed to get within three the rest of the way.
UTM shot just 16-of-62 and a season-worst 6-of-39 from three-point distance. Morehead State had its struggles too but shot 48 percent in the second half (11-of-23), which led to an overall 37 percent effort. UTM's shooting percentage was the lowest for an MSU opponent in a road game in the past 15 seasons.
Marshall also grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. UTM, the leader in the league in rebounding, led on the boards 44-40 and had 24 offensive rebounds. Dawson III, who had scored a career-best 13 against UTM in the first meeting, tied his career-high with seven boards and also scored eight.
Chase Dawson registered 11 points, including six in the second half in the final six minutes.
Matas Deniusius led UTM with 15 points and had a team-high nine rebounds. MSU also helped itself at the free throw line, hitting 16-of-18.
MSU returns home Thursday to try to sweep its season series from Tennessee Tech. Game time is 7:30 p.m. ET.
