CNHI
March 18, 2010 —
Junior Kenneth Faried scored 23 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to lead Morehead State to a 74-60 win over Colorado State Wednesday in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational Tournament at Johnson Arena.
It was his 24th double-double of the season.
The Eagles (24-10) will visit Boston University (20-13) in the next round on Monday, March 22. BU defeated Oregon State, 96-78, Wednesday. It was the Terriers' first postseason win since 1959.
It marks the first time in school history that MSU has won one postseason non-conference tournament game in consecutive years.
“Colorado State is a very good team,” said Donnie Tyndall, men’s basketball coach. “They are well coached and forced us into several turnovers.
“The CBI is a great tournament and we are privileged to be a part of it.”
Morehead State led 44-35 at the half and never looked back.
Colorado State (16-16) pulled to within 46-41 early in the second half, but could get no closer.
The Eagles put the game away with a 10-5 run. Demonte Harper’s bucket with 5:52 remaining put MSU ahead 66-53.
Over the final six minutes, the Eagle advantage never dipped below 11.
“This team has accomplished so many things,” said Tyndall. “Back-to-back 20 win seasons, 15 Ohio Valley Conference wins, first time with wins in two straight non-conference postseason tournaments and we have a chance to tie the school record for most wins.”
Terrance Hill and Harper also were in double figures with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Andy Ogide and Adam Nigon each had 13 to pace Colorado State.
MSU finished 26 of 47 from the field for 55.3 percent, including nine of 15 from three-point range. Colorado State hit 25 of 46 from the floor (54.3 percent), including seven of 15 three-point shots.
The Eagles outrebounded CSU, 31-21.
WBI: College of Charleston 67, Morehead State 59
College of Charleston Cougars grabbed the lead in the first minute and went on to eliminate Morehead State University, 67-59, Wednesday night in the opening round of the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational.
MSU finished the season at 22-11 while the Cougars moved on to the second round with a 20-11 record.
The Cougars built a double digit lead by the half and never let up.
Junior guard Chynna Bozeman led the Eagles with 22 points and 10 rebounds – her second double of the year. She finished her third season in an MSU uniform with 648 points, which is the second best season in school history. She also hit a national-best 121 three-pointers this year which ranks as the third best season in NCAA Division I history.
College of Charleston got a team high 19 points from Ericka Williams. Brooke Kotcella had 13, and Tonia Gerty dished out six assists and had nine points.
“They’re an extremely athletic team, and we had no answer for Gerty,” said Mike Bradbury, women’s coach. “They create open shots and make three-pointers.”
The Cougars hit seven three-pointers.
“They’re also as good a defensive team as we have faced all year. Hopefully we can build on this season as the best team they have ever had here. The future is really bright, and we hope to take the next step next season.”
The Cougars opened the game on an 11-3 run.
MSU got back-to-back three-pointers from Bozeman and Tiffany Hamilton to pull to within 15-12 with 12:09 remaining in the opening half.
Bozeman hit a three-pointer and a running layup to bring the Eagles to within 26-20, but a trey on the other end by Ericka Williams pushed the Cougars’ lead back out to eight with 2:39 left.
The Cougars extended their lead out to 37-25 with 17:27 left in the game. A Tiffanie Stephens three-pointer brought MSU to within eight, at 39-31, Jade Hughes and Tonia Gerty connected on buckets to push the Cougars ahead 45-31.
The Eagles rallied and after Abby Steele’s second three-pointer at 8:04, MSU had cut the lead under double digits (54-45). However, Hughes struck again with a three-pointer at 6:32 and the lead was back out to 14.
MSU finally cut the game back under 10, at 64-55, with under a minute. A steal amounted to nothing though as a layup was missed. C of C hit a pair of free throws. Bozeman was fouled and hit two charity tosses to get the Eagles to within 66-57.
MSU forced another turnover, and Ashar Harris got open for a layup as the Eagles continued to try to eat away at the deficit. With 35 ticks left, MSU trailed 66-59 but a late three pointer missed and the Cougars held onto the ball for the final 20 seconds.
MSU finished the game shooting 31 percent (18-of-59). The Eagles were 11-of-32 from three-point range and finished the season with 340 total treys. The Eagles also finished with an NCAA Division I single season record 981 threes attempted.
