By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Forget about Tennessee Tech's 11-point lead in the first half. By the time this Ohio Valley Conference contest ended, it was ancient history.
With no more than one or two points separating them for nearly all of the second half, Tennessee Tech and Morehead State waged a classic, full-court battle in Eblen Center before the visiting MSU Eagles escaped with a 78-74 victory.
Morehead State (8-13/3-3 OVC) had four players in double digits, led by Brent Arrington's 24 points and eight rebounds, bolstered by a 13-for-14 night at the free throw line. Corban Collins added 14 points, including a 7-for-7 effort at the charity stripe, while Karem Mashour and Angelo Warner had 14 apiece.
The Eagles went 27-for-31 at the charity stripe, and posted a 31-25 advantage on the boards, getting 16 offensive rebounds and 15 on the defensive end.
Tech (9-11/1-6 OVC) shot an even 50 percent from the field (25-for-50) and was also solid at the free throw line, hitting 19-for-25. Jordan Johnson (in photo) topped three Golden Eagles in double figures with 19 points, while Charles Jackson added 18 and Josiah Moore finished with 12 points.
The Golden Eagles held an advantage for most of the first half, slowly building to a double-digit lead at 32-22 with 7:08 remaining following an old-fashioned three-point play by Charles Jackson.
The lead grew to 11 a minute later on a layup by Jackson, but used a 13-5 stretch over the final 5:29 to pull to within two at halftime, 42-40.
Arrinigton and Warner drained back-to-back 3-pointers to spark the run, before Josiah Moore's jumper with 49 seconds to play broke the third tie of the half and lifted Tech to its halftime, two-point edge.
The second half proved a fans' delight, with the largest lead either way being four points until the final three seconds. The lead was tied three more times after the break.
Tied a 60-all, Moore scored six consecutive points for the Golden Eagles, hitting back-to-back jumpers that each gave Tech a one-point lead. The second one came with 4:21 remaining and left the Golden Eagles ahead, 66-65.
That was the last time Tech was on top, however. Mashour hit a layup and Arrington knocked down two free throws for a three-point MSU lead.
Down four, Tech got a clutch 3-pointer from Torrance Rowe with 1:06 left to make it a 72-71 difference, before Mashour followed a missed shot with a tip-on for a 74-71 Eagle lead.
Tech forced a turnover, but lost control at the other end with a turnover, leading to four straight free throws down the stretch for the visitors' final margin.
Tech's journey through the league's East Division continues Saturday night when Eastern Kentucky visits Eblen Center, with a doubleheader on tap. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m. and the men's game is slated to follow at 7:30 p.m.
That game features a couple of special promotions. It is Think Pink, with one dollar admission for all fans wearing pink to the arena. The first 1,000 fans into Eblen Center will receive a free Think Pink t-shirt.
It is also the final night of the nationwide initiative called Coaches vs. Cancer, with the coaching staffs wearing tennis shoes/sneakers.
All of the events are aimed at raising awareness for cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
For ticket or additional information, please call the Athletics Ticket Office in EbleN Center at (931) 372-3940.
