Trailing by six at the half at Tennessee Tech Thursday night, the Morehead State men’s basketball team played an inspired second 20-minute period and rallied to knock off the Golden Eagles 77-64 and earn the program’s 1,000th all-time victory.
MSU won its fifth straight game, improved to 9-6 overall and 4-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tech, which entered the game averaging 77 points per game, fell to 7-8 and 1-3 in the league. The victory was also MSU’s fourth consecutive over TTU in the last three seasons.
Tied at 47 in the second half, the Eagles outscored Tech 23-6 over an eight minute period to take control. The Eagles shot 55 percent in the second half and outscored the host Golden Eagles 50-31. MSU also made only two turnovers in the final half after committing eight in the first half. The Eagles forced 14 Tech mistakes and turned that around into 29 points. TTU had only 11 points off Eagle turnovers.
“The main thing for us is that in the second half we played with only two turnovers,” MSU coach Donnie Tyndall. “It kept them from scoring in transition.”
Kenneth Faried led four Eagles in double figures as he posted his ninth double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds while also adding three steals and two blocks. Demonte Harper scored 15, while Terrence Hill and Maze Stallworth each tallied 12.
“Kenneth Faried was the best player in the OVC for 20 minutes tonight,” Tyndall said. “He was definitely a dominating force for us tonight.”
Elijah Muhammed led Tech with 16 points, while Kevin Murphy had 15 and Frank Davis posted 11. The Golden Eagles were just 3-of-11 from three-point range.
The Eagles vaulted out to a quick 10-2 lead four minutes into the game after a Harper trey. Tech, however, climbed back into the contest via an 11-4 run. With 11:27 left in the first half, MSU held a 14-13 lead. The Eagles went on to lead 18-13.
Tech put together a 16-2 run and pushed ahead 29-20 with 2:47 left. MSU’s lone field goal in the Tech run was a Harper jumper at the 8:16 point. Tech’s largest lead of the opening half was 10 (33-23). Steve Peterson knocked down a bucket with four seconds left to leave MSU with a 33-27 halftime deficit.
For the game, TTU managed to shoot 55 percent, including 60 percent in the second half. MSU shot 48 percent and hit six three-pointers. MSU also won the battle on the glass, 35-27. Fifteen of the 35 boards were offensive, leading to a 16-7 edge in second chance points.
“Our team tonight showed the depth we have,” Tyndall said. “I thought our guys off the bench played a big role. We’re a nice team with good depth so we can wear some teams down.”
Rowan County Sports
Men's Hoops capture program's 1,000th all-time victory in comeback fashion
- 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
