Four players scored in double figures, led by 20 points from freshman forward Johni Broome, and sophomore guard Ta'Lon Cooper nearly had another triple-double as the Morehead State basketball team nearly led from wire to wire in handing host Arkansas State a 75-51 defeat in the first game of the Eracism Invitational at First National Bank Arena.
The Eagles moved to 3-3 with their second win in as many seasons over the Red Wolves. Morehead State hit a season-best 53 percent from the floor and out-rebounded ASU by 11. The Eagles have out-rebounded five of the first six opponents and three by double digits.
Broome, who had his breakout effort of his first season last year against Arkansas State, was 10-of-11 from the field, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked six shots. Cooper notched 11 points, eight rebounds and dished out eight assists.
MSU also saw junior guard Skyelar Potter score a season-high 16 points and corral seven rebounds. Grad transfer Tray Hollowell reached double-digits for the fifth straight game with 11.
The Eagles, who led 36-23 at halftime, were consistent in the second half as well, scoring 39 and outscoring the hosts by 11. MSU managed to nail 57 percent (16-of-28) in the final 20 minutes, including shooting higher than 60 percent for most of the half until a few misses in the final two minutes.
Morehead State drilled nine more three-pointers tonight and has now hit five or more three-balls in all six games this winter.
Arkansas State hit the first bucket of the game, but Broome hit back-to-back shots and MSU's 4-2 lead at 18:45 was never relinquished. The Eagles ballooned the cushion to as much as 29 on several occasions in the final half. The Eagles limited the home squad to just 28 percent shooting from three-point range and 37 percent overall.
MSU is back on the court Saturday night at ASU, facing the Kansas City 'Roos at 7 p.m. ET. No video stream or audio stream will be available, but live stats will be.
