MARCH 5 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Morehead State’s (23-10) hopes of orchestrating another dream NCAA Tournament run were dashed Saturday night in Nashville when the Eagles fell 62-51 in the OVC Championship game to the Murray State Racers (30-4).
MSU guard and Nashville native Demonte Harper led Morehead State in scoring with a game-high 20 points. Kenneth Faried was second on the team, posting a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
After a 76-47 beating of Tennessee Tech in the semifinals, Morehead State carried its confidence into the tournament final, battling toe-to-toe throughout the first half with the favored Racers.
The opening frame saw the score tied on nine occasions and the lead change hands five times.
With one second remaining in the half, and the Eagles trailing by three, Faried kicked the ball out to sophomore Terrance Hill on the wing. Hill drained a three-pointer to knot the score at 24 going into the break.
The battle continued into the second half until the 10:15 mark when Murray State took their final lead.
With Eagle starters Maze Stallworth and Demonte Harper in foul trouble for much of the game and point guard Brandon Shingles playing a limited role due to a previous ankle injury, the Racers were able to pull away in the clutch.
“Murray State played very well. Their defensive pressure kept us out of some things at the offensive end,” Morehead State head coach Donnie Tyndall said.
Tyndall said the game was physical and the accumulation of injuries and fouls damaged Morehead State’s chance for a win.
“With Demonte and Maze playing limited minutes — really, really hurt our team,” Tyndall said. “When you play that physical, their (Murray State) depth eventually takes its toll on us, and I think that’s what happened about the last eight minutes of the game. It’s just frustrating to play that physical, and then you have two of your better players sitting over there with me most of the night on some ticky-tack touch fouls.”
With the second half winding down, Tyndall inserted Harper back into the lineup. Harper took charge of the Eagle offense, scoring 15 of his 20 points in the last 5:31 of the game.
“If Demonte and Maze would have gotten to play to normal minutes they usually play, it probably would have a different type of game,” Tyndall said. “I don’t know if we would have won, but the score would have been different — we’ll be back next year.”
Rowan County Sports
Related Photos
-
Terrance Hill hooks one in during Saturday's OVC match-up with Murray. Cody Evans photo
Eagles fall to Murray
- Rowan County Sports
-
-
Vikings and Lady Vikings win big in 61st District opening round
Both the Rowan County baseball and softball squads moved forward in the postseason Monday night.
-
Chapman’s big hit equals big Viking win
Even with district tournaments upon us, the Rowan County Vikings did not forget to finish the regular season.
-
Rowan boys track & field fight hard in state meet
After winning the 6th Region title, the Rowan County boys track & field team took its show on the road to Louisville to compete in the Class 2A State meet.
-
Rowan softball suffers home finale defeat to Russell
Despite a solid defensive effort, the Lady Vikings could not overcome an even stronger pitching game from the Russell Lady Devils.
-
Free Fishing Derby for kids in Rowan
The first weekend in June is a great time to enjoy free fishing and boating on national forest land.
-
Cave Run Muskies 12U wins with double dose of walk off homers
This past Sunday the Cave Run Muskies defeated the West Virginia Wildcats at Cave Run Muskies Park, winning by way of a walk off homerun in a true nail biter, 8-6.
-
Vikings finish sweep of Fairview
Knowing your competition can go a long way when you’re trying to pull out a win. The Rowan County Vikings knew theirs quite well, pulling off its second victory over Fairview in four days on Wednesday night, 1-0. Three up, three down was the story for the visitor’s offense, as Rowan’s boys laid down the shutout.
-
RCMS baseball finish season strong
Building for the future is how you develop consistency within a program. The Rowan County Middle School baseball team did just this, capping off the regular season with a big win over Mason County at home this past Saturday, 3-2.
-
In the Post: How high can the Eagles fly?
It's been many years since Sean Woods’ unforgettable days playing under now legendary coach Rick Pitino at the University of Kentucky. Prior to Donnie Tyndall's stint at MSU, it had also been many years since the Morehead men's program had made it to the big dance. In six seasons Tyndall changed not only the outlook of a program, but fulfilled the hopes and dreams of a community that had long desired to see the Eagles soar.
-
Former UK star set to host local hoops camp
A free regional basketball camp conducted by former University of Kentucky all-star Jeff Sheppard will be offered by Operation UNITE this summer. All school-age youth are invited to participate in the Shoot Hoops Not Drugs program Tuesday, June 5 in Rowan County at the old middle school gym, 415 West Sun Street.
- More Rowan County Sports Headlines
-
Vikings and Lady Vikings win big in 61st District opening round
