MOREHEAD, Ky. — The Morehead State men’s basketball team continues a three-game Ohio Valley Conference homestand on Thursday when it hosts Tennessee State. Tip-off from Johnson Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. It will be Mardi Gras Night, and halftime will feature a parade of approximately 130 MSU students.
The Eagles, who have won four of their last five games, are 10-14 overall, 5-4 in league play and 3-6 at home. MSU is coming off a setback to Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers, who defeated Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State after previously losing six straight, are 5-18 overall, 2-6 in conference action and 0-12 on the road.
Morehead State owns a 33-30 advantage in the all-time series against Tennessee State. The teams split last year’s two-game set, with each club winning on the road. Angelo Warner recorded 19 points in each meeting last season for the Eagles.
Adult tickets begin at just $8, while tickets for children 12-and-under start at $3. Parking is only $5 per vehicle. Click here to purchase tickets on-line.
The game will be streamed live and free of charge on OVCDigitalNetwork.com. The video production, which is coordinated by Eagle Vision, will include multiple cameras, replays, graphics and audio. The contest will also be broadcast on the Eagle Sports Network, with Chuck Mraz calling the play-by-play and Jason Blanton serving as the analyst. The radio network includes WIVY-96.3 FM in Morehead, WCBJ-103.7 FM in Campton, WLGC-1520 AM in Ashland/Greenup, MSUEagles.com (computers), m.Morehead.EZStream.com (mobile devices) and the Eagle Empire App.
Ten notes heading into the contest:
WHERE DID THE LEAD GO?
Morehead State enjoyed a 34-27 upper hand at halftime of Saturday’s game, but Eastern Kentucky responded with a 39-23 scoring advantage after intermission. In the second half, EKU registered a 20-11 rebounding advantage, made 17-of-21 from the free-throw stripe and held MSU to 6-of-23 from the field.
THE DEFENSE HAS IMPROVED
Through 24 games, Morehead State’s opponents are averaging just 66.0 points on 43.4 percent from the field. At this point last campaign, MSU’s foes were averaging 72.6 points on 44.3 percent from the floor. The Eagles have also allowed 24 fewer threes.
PLEASE BRING BACK THE OFFENSE
Through 24 contests, Morehead State is averaging just 69.6 points on 43.3 percent from the floor. At this point last year, MSU was averaging 77.6 points on 44.6 percent from the field. The Eagles had 152 more free throws and 233 more FT attempts last season.
THE MAN FROM ISRAEL
Senior Karam Mashour registered a career-best 24 points in an 82-69 win on Jan. 28 at Austin Peay. The forward, in his 25th contest at Morehead State, made 10-of-15 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also pulled down seven rebounds.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TIME
Senior Kareem Storey and junior Brent Arrington posted their first career double-doubles at Austin Peay. Storey, in his 52nd game as an Eagle, recorded 13 points and 12 assists. Arrington, in his 57th tilt at Morehead State, tallied 16 points and 10 boards.
DOMINATING THE PAINT
Morehead State’s first 16 points at Austin Peay came in the lane. The Eagles recorded a 28-8 advantage in paint points during the first half and 56-14 upper hand for the night. MSU is averaging 31.9 paint points this season, while allowing just 24.8 per contest
TOO MANY WHISTLES
Morehead State committed a season-high 30 fouls, including 22 in the second half, at Austin Peay. The Governors attempted 44 free throws in the contest, including 39 after intermission. At one point, APSU scored 14 consecutive points from the foul line.
SOMETHING TO WORK ON
Morehead State has committed 566 fouls (23.6 pg) this season, which is more than any other Division I team. The Eagles have been whistled for 126 more infractions than their opponents this year, while MSU’s foes have also shot 183 more free throws.
REBOUNDING IS WHAT WE DO
Morehead State has led the Ohio Valley Conference in rebounding margin six straight seasons (2008-14), paced the league in rebounds five of the last six years and had the conference’s top individual four of the past six seasons. MSU leads the OVC in rebounding margin (+4.6) this year, while ranking third in boards per game (35.8).
MORE ON THE GLASS CLEANING
Morehead State is +62 in total rebounds, +53 in offensive rebounds and +38 in second-chance points over its last 10 tilts. The Eagles have only been outrebounded once during the stretch and six times in 24 affairs this season. MSU has five individuals averaging at least 4.0 rebounds this year, but only had three at this point last season.
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