Box Score (PDF)RICHMOND, Ky. – In a matchup befitting two of the more successful Ohio Valley Conference programs, the Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team fell to visiting Murray State, 75-71, in a back-and-forth affair on Wednesday night at McBrayer Arena.
With 51 seconds to play in the game, senior
Jarelle Reischel drained a corner three-pointer to give the Colonels a 71-70 lead. The Racers answered with a three by Justin Seymour from the left wing. Murray State's first, and only, three-pointer of the second half gave the Racers a 73-71 lead with 22 seconds remaining.
Sophomore
Paul Jackson's layup did not fall on EKU's ensuing possession, and Murray State (11-10, 5-3 OVC) made two free throws with nine seconds on the clock to seal the road win.
The game resembled a boxing match for most of the night. EKU started the game on a 12-2 run, just to see MSU rattle off eight three-pointers and eventually take a 39-36 lead into halftime.
Murray State led by as many as seven in the second half, but Eastern used an 11-2 run to take the lead, 47-45, on an alley-oop from Jackson to Reischel with 14:25 remaining in the game.
The Colonels (12-11, 3-5 OVC) led by four, 68-64, after two foul shots by Jackson with 2:47 on the clock; however, Murray State closed out the game on an 11-3 run to earn the victory.
The game was tied 10 times and the lead changed hands nine times.
Reischel finished with 21 points, extending his double-digit scoring streak to 19 games. Freshman
Nick Mayo tallied a game-high 22 points for the Colonels. The freshman from Maine is averaging 18.5 points-per-game in OVC play.
Jackson notched his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 assists.
Wayne Langston and Damarcus Croaker each had 18 points for MSU. Seymour contributed 12 points on four three-pointers.
The Colonels shot 55 percent from the field but were out-rebounded, 32-21. The rebounding differential was most glaring on the offensive glass where the Racers grabbed 11 and EKU was held without an offensive board.
Eastern Kentucky will host rival Morehead State on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at McBrayer Arena.
