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Men’s Hoops Rolls in Non-Conference Finale

MSU Athletics

Morehead State men's basketball team knocked down 59 percent from the field, posted a 16-rebound advantage and forced 22 turnovers on its way to a 95-60 non-conference victory over Central Arkansas on Monday night (Dec. 29) at the Farris Center.

The Ohio Valley Conference Eagles wrap up non-conference play 5-10 overall and 2-6 on the road. The Southland Conference Bears are still winless in 11 contests overall and four affairs at home. It was the first-ever meeting between the schools in men's basketball.

"I'm happy with the way we played tonight," Head Coach Sean Woods said. "I think the holiday break was good for us. We looked rested and had our legs under us. We shot 59 percent overall, and we're going to be a really tough team to beat anytime that happens."

Sophomore Corban Collins and freshman Marquel Willis paced five Eagles in double figures with 15 points apiece. Senior Angelo Warner added 13 points in 13 minutes for MSU, while senior Billy Reader chipped in with 11 and junior Brent Arrington netted 10.

Collins drilled 6-of-9 from the floor, while Willis connected on 7-of-8 en route to his best total at the collegiate level. Reader yanked down a game-best seven rebounds, while classmate Kareem Storey was credited with a game-best five assists in only 18 minutes.

MSU made 18-of-29 from the field in the first half and 17-of-30 the rest of the way.

Morehead State registered advantages of 38-22 on the glass, 14-7 in offensive rebounds, 50-22 in paint points, 30-9 in points off turnovers, 55-14 in bench points and 18-9 in assists. The Eagles were plus eight in the turnover department, coughing the ball up just 14 times.

"Our team is at its best when our pressure defense leads to easy baskets on the offensive end," Woods said. "We saw a lot of that tonight, and that was one of the keys to our victory. We made Central Arkansas uncomfortable and took advantage of their mistakes."

MSU manufactured a 12-2 run midway through the first period to grab control. The Eagles led by 20 points at intermission, which was their largest halftime advantage against a Division I opponent in over a year. The cushion grew to a game-high 37 with 9:38 remaining.

The Eagles held the Bears to 39 percent (16-of-41) from the field and 33 percent (5-of-15) from long distance. Morehead State used all 13 players who dressed, and all 13 scored.

"Our attack was very balanced, and we need that moving forward," Woods said. "We can't have our starters wearing down in February and March, like we did last season. We need quality contributions from everyone we put in the game, and we had that tonight."

Freshman Thatch Unruh paced Central Arkansas with 16 points and five assists. No UCA player collected more than four rebounds in the affair. The Bears managed a 6-2 advantage in blocked shots, giving MSU just 18 true missed field-goal attempts.

Conference action begins on Saturday (Jan. 3) when the Eagles host Murray State at MSU’s Johnson Arena. That doubleheader, with the MSU women, will feature a "Hoop and Holler for a Dollar" promotion as upper level and bleacher seats are available for just $1.00 each.

"We open OVC play with a big game and quality opponent," Woods added. "Morehead State and Murray State have consistently been picked in the top four of our league. We need the community to get behind us on Saturday, so we can begin with a win."

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