VERMILLION, S.D.--Senior Maze Stallworth hit a three-pointer with 1:45 to play and sunk a late free throw to pull Morehead State past South Dakota 66-64 Monday night at the DakotaDome.
"I told someone before the game if we could get a one-pointer and get out of here with a win I'd take it," MSU coach Donnie Tyndall said. "They are a solid, well-coached team and this is a tough environment to play in."
The Eagles (6-6) trailed for most of the game, leading only briefly in the each half until Stallworth's triple fell following a key steal by senior Brandon Shingles just past mid court. South Dakota's Roman Gentry took then ensuing possession to the hoop, but sophomore Steve Peterson blocked his lay-up attempt and Shingles grabbed the rebound.
Tyler Cain, who had 17 points to lead South Dakota, had two free throws to tie it with three seconds left, but missed the first and made the second. Stallworth then swished a single free throw at the other end to make it a two-point game. Jake Thomas narrowly missed a desperation 3-pointer from 35 feet that would have won it for the Coyotes.
MSU junior Kenneth Faried, who tallied his seventh double-double of the year with 15 points and 15 rebounds, became the 29th player in MSU history to score 1,000 career points with his first field goal of the night.
The Coyotes shot 59.3 percent in the first half from the field, but just 28 percent in the second half. MSU also held USD to 16.7 percent from beyond the arc, including 1-of-10 in the second half.
"We were sluggish in the first half," Tyndall said. "We didn't guard well, but we turned it around in the second half and did a nice job holding them to just three 3-pointers in the game."
Stallworth had 21 points and a career-high five steals, four of which came in the first half. Shingles finished with seven assists. Peterson had 12 points and seven rebounds and junior Demonte Harper scored 10 points.
The Eagles were whistled for 23 fouls, with Stallworth, Peterson and Harper each racking up four fouls and Faried fouling out with six minutes to play.
"I thought Maze had a great second half and I really thought Les Simmons got some big rebounds in Kenneth's absence," Tyndall said.
Thomas, Gentry and Kendall Cutler each finished with 10 points. Cain also had 15 rebounds.
The Eagles resume Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday at 9 p.m. for an ESPNU doubleheader with the women's team. Both teams will face Austin Peay and Morehead State fans are encouraged to wear black to the game to "Black Out" Johnson Arena. Fans wearing black will receive $1 general admission (all seating will be general admission). There will also be $1 hot dogs, popcorn and Pepsi products.
Rowan County Sports
Stallworth’s late three, free throw lift Eagles over South Dakota
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