Morehead State makes it nine in-a-row; beats Tennessee Tech, 74-55

MOREHEAD, Ky. (MSU Athletics) – Freshman forward Johni Broome posted a 22-point, career-high 13-rebound double-double, while junior guard Skyelar Potter provided 15 markers, and the Morehead State men’s basketball team shrugged off 20 turnovers to top Tennessee Tech 74-55 Saturday on the road and move its winning streak to nine games.

The Eagles’ (13-6/10-2 OVC) nine-game success streak now equals the longest since 2010-11, while the nine straight league victories is the best streak since winning nine straight in 2009-10. Morehead State has not lost a game after the year turned to 2021 and swept the season series with Tech (2-16/2-9 OVC). The 10-2 OVC mark is the best after 12 games since the 2009-10 squad was 11-1.

Broome dominated the first half when he registered 17 of his 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The four-time OVC Freshman of the Week also had a pair of blocked shots and a steal and hit nine buckets on 16 shots. Potter nailed a trio of three-pointers for his 10th double-figure game.

The Eagles’ perimeter defense, ranked No. 1 in the OVC, forced Tech into just 5-of-28 from long range, including only 1-of-16 in the second half. Meanwhile MSU hit 56 percent (30-of-54) overall, its seventh game better than 50 percent accuracy and second straight.

The Eagles also led for the entire game, moving their streak of holding a lead to 91 consecutive minutes in the last three games. MSU has also won its last six games by an average of 20 points per game.

KEY MOMENTS

– The Eagles led 14-3 after four minutes following senior James Baker’s dunk.
– Tech cut the MSU lead to 14-12, but sophomore guard Ta’lon Cooper nailed his only three-pointer to thwart any lead attempt by the Golden Eagles.
– TTU trimmed the lead back down to 21-19, but junior guard Jaylen Sebree hit a key jumper at the 8:16 mark.
– The game sat at 24-23 with 7:09 left in the first half, but Baker slammed a basket in to key a quick 6-0 run and the Eagles pushed back out 30-23.
– MSU led 39-32 at the half.
– With the game at 39-34, junior guard KJ Hunt’s jumper started a 9-0 run. Baker’s third dunk of the night (at 16:16) had the visitors in the lead 48-34.
– Potter hit a three-pointer with 4:29 remaining to make it 64-53, and the Eagles never led by less than 10 the rest of the way.

KEY STATS

– While the Eagles did post 20 turnovers, they also forced 18 mistakes by the Golden Eagles, leading to 21 points.
– Of the Eagles’ 74 points, 44 came inside the paint area.
– MSU totaled 17 assists on 30 made buckets.
– The defense forced one of TTU’s best shooters, Damaria Franklin, into just 3-for-12 and 0-for-7 on three point attempts.
– MSU finished the game on a 13-2 run.
– The OVC’s best rebounding team in terms of total boards and margin topped Tech 37-27 on the glass. It is the eighth game where MSU has at least a +10 rebound margin.
– Baker scored 10 points, his sixth straight performance of 10+ points.

UP NEXT

MSU returns home this week for a showdown with Murray State. Having already defeated the Racers to start this wining streak on Jan. 2, the Eagles can go for the program’s first season sweep of the Racers since 2002-03. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET Thursday.