NASHVILLE — Seniors Angelo Warner and Karam Mashour combined for 52 points and 15 rebounds on Thursday night to power the Morehead State men’s basketball team to a 76-65 victory over UT Martin in the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at Municipal Auditorium.
The Eagles, who have won five straight contests and 10 of their last 13, improve to 17-16 overall and 3-1 on a neutral floor. The Skyhawks fall to 18-12 overall. Both teams finished with 10-6 league records this season. MSU is in the OVC’s East Division, while UTM plays in the West Division.
“I’m excited for our young men,” Head Coach Sean Woods said. “We played pretty well tonight. It’s all about surviving and advancing at this point in the season, and I’m glad we’re able to do that again. Angelo and Karam led us, but this was another team effort. Lots of guys contributed to our victory.”
MSU moves into the OVC Tournament semifinals on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Eagles will face top-seeded Murray State, which owns the nation’s second-longest winning streak at 24 games. The Racers are 25th in the latest Associated Press poll and 24th in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Warner tallied a season-high 27 points on 10-of-16 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. His field-goal total tied a career high.It was his 31st game this season and 129th contest as an Eagle. The guard continues to lead all active players in the conference with 1,544 career points.
Mashour, who leads Morehead State in scoring and rebounding during OVC play, recorded a career-best 25 points on 9-of-13 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the foul line. It was his 35th contest at MSU.Junior Brent Arrington was the third Eagle in double figures with 11 points on 3-of-4 from long range.
Warner pulled down eight rebounds, while Mashour collected seven. Senior Kareem Storey added a game-high eight assists. Mashour and Storey notched three steals apiece.Morehead State forced 16 turnovers and committed just 11, which led to a 19-12 scoring advantage in points off miscues.
Morehead State improves to 33-14 all-time against UT Martin. The Eagles have knocked off the Skyhawks in 10 of their last 11 tries, with the lone setback coming on Jan. 10 at the Elam Center.
“I tip my cap to UT Martin,” Woods said. “They are much improved from when I first got into the OVC (2012-13). Coach (Heath) Schroyer has done a very good job in his first season with their program. They have taken a big step forward, which presents a challenge to all other teams in our league.”
Junior Alex Anderson paced UT Martin with 23 points on 7-of-10 from the field, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. Senior Marshun Newell contributed a team-best eight rebounds.
Morehead State connected on 51 percent (27-of-52) and 80 percent (16-of-20) from the charity stripe. UT Martin was limited to 37 percent (20-of-54) overall and drilled 84 percent (16-of-19) from the free-throw line. The Eagles also held themselves to 16 fouls, which is seven fewer than their average.
Morehead State led by double figures for most of the second half. MSU’s biggest margin of 16 points came with 2:01 remaining. The Eagles sat in the driver’s seat for more than 36 minutes on the night.
Friday’s tilt will be televised nationally by ESPNU and simulcast on ESPN3.com. Rich Hollenberg will call the play-by-play, while former NBA player LaPhonso Ellis serves as the analyst.It will mark Morehead State’s eighth game on national television this season and 10th TV game overall.
Chuck Mraz and Jason Blanton will also have the radio call on the Eagle Sports Network, which includes affiliates throughout Eastern Kentucky, and Eagle Empire App.For in-game links and more information, visit MSUEagles.com, Twitter.com/MSUAthletics and Facebook.com/MSUEagles.
“It’s no secret that Murray State is an outstanding basketball program,” Woods added. “They’ve clearly been the best team in our league this year, but we’re excited about the challenge. Friday’s game will be another opportunity for our young men to play in a big game on national television.”
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