The Morehead State Eagles are having a hard time getting back into the win column as they have dropped 3 in a row.
The last two have been at UAB and home yesterday vs. Oakland.
Here are the recaps:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The UAB men’s basketball team held Morehead State to 34 percent from the field and used a 28-20 advantage in paint points to register a 58-48 non-conference victory on Thursday evening at Bartow Arena.
The Blazers, who snap a three-game skid, improve to 3-5 overall and 3-2 at home. The Eagles, who have dropped both contests this week, slip to 4-6 overall and 1-4 on the road. It was the first meeting between the two schools in men’s hoops.
Morehead State was limited to just 18-of-53 from the floor, including 9-of-31 (29 percent) in the second half. UAB, meanwhile, was able to knock down 21-of-54 (39 percent) for the night, including 11-of-25 (44 percent) after intermission.
“Our defense has played very well this season, but our offensive efficiency continues to be poor,” Head Coach Sean Woods said. “I’m disappointed with all of the turnovers and our lack of offensive execution tonight. We will go back to the drawing board and get better.”
MOREHEAD, Ky. — Junior Corey Petros tallied game highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds, including a game-winning jumper with 1.6 seconds remaining in overtime, to lift the Oakland men’s basketball team to a 70-68 over Morehead State on Saturday afternoon at Johnson Arena.
The Golden Grizzlies, who compete in the Horizon League and have now won four of their last five games, improve to 4-5 overall and 1-2 on the road. The Eagles, who play in the Ohio Valley Conference, slip to 4-7 overall and 2-2 at home with their third consecutive setback.
Oakland has needed overtime to win both games in the all-time series. The Golden Grizzlies registered an 82-79 triumph in extra time two seasons ago as part of the Ramada Worldwide BracketBusters event. Saturday’s contest was the return game from that defunct event.
“People need to understand that Oakland is a good basketball team,” Head Coach Sean Woods said. “Give them credit for the way they played, especially in the first half. I was pleased with our effort in the second half, but we dug a big hole in the first half and couldn’t get over the hump.”
Petros, a Preseason First-Team All-Horizon League selection, knocked down 10-of-16 from the field. He netted 12 points in the second half and four more in overtime. His point and rebounding totals both matched season highs. The scoring clip was also three shy of his career best.
Sophomore Kahlil Felder added 13 points and seven assists for the Golden Grizzlies, while freshman Nick Daniels contributed 10 points. Oakland, which managed scoring advantages of 40-24 in the paint and 16-10 off the bench, converted on 50 percent (26-of-52) from the field.
“(Corey) Petros was big for Oakland today,” Woods said. “They are a team that likes to shoot lots of threes. We took that away from them, but Petros got too many good looks around the basket. Tip your cap to him. He made 10-of-16 shots today and answered the bell for Oakland.”
Morehead State was limited to 31 percent (9-of-29) from the floor in the opening half, but finished at 42 percent (26-of-62) for the game. Junior Lyonell Gaines registered team highs of 18 points, on 8-of-13 from the floor, and 10 rebounds. It was his first double-double as an Eagle.
“I was happy with the way Lyonell (Gaines) played,” Woods said. “He’s come on strong over the last three or four games. He’s our energy guy on both ends of the floor, and we need that. We’ve given Lyonell more minutes and moved him into the starting line-up because he’s deserved that.”
Five Morehead State players notched double figures in scoring. Senior Angelo Warner tossed in 15, to go along with five steals, while senior Kareem Storey posted 12. Senior Billy Reader contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Corban Collins finished with 10 points.
Oakland used a 17-2 spurt in the first half to open up an 18-point advantage shortly before halftime. MSU responded with a pair of 11-2 runs to grab the lead with 2:22 left in regulation. Petros put the Golden Grizzlies ahead by three with 38 seconds to play, but Collins evened things nine seconds later.
Oakland led for nearly 36 minutes, while Morehead State held the upper hand for less than five. The game had three ties and seven lead changes. The Eagles committed 16 turnovers, while the Golden Grizzlies gave away 13 possessions. MSU was +5 in both total rebounds and offensive boards.
“We had too many turnovers at key points in the game,” Woods said. “You can’t have some of the empty possessions we had down the stretch and expect to beat a quality opponent like Oakland. Turnovers weren’t a problem early in the season, but we’ve had way too many of them in recent games.”
Morehead State will be idle for the next six days due to semester finals. The Eagles return to action on Saturday at Big Ten Conference power Ohio State. The Buckeyes entered the week 13th in one national poll and 14th in the other. The 1 p.m. ET game will televised live by the Big Ten Network.
