Box Score

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Despite 32 points and 11 rebounds from senior Nick Mayo, the Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team fell to in-state rival Morehead State, 78-72, on Thursday night at Johnson Arena.
 
EKU (11-15, 4-9 OVC) trailed by 14 when De'Veon Cooper buried a jumper to make it 64-50 with 9:06 to play. However, the Colonels rallied down the stretch and pulled to within five when freshman Tre King sank a pair of free throws to make the score 72-67 with 2:13 on the clock.
 
Morehead State (10-16, 6-7 OVC), however, converted 6-of-6 free throws in the final two minutes to ice the win.
 
Eastern won the turnover battle, 19-7; however, that margin could not erase a cold shooting night. The Colonels were 33 percent from the field (25-of-75) and 20 percent from deep (5-of-25).
 
It was Mayo's third double-double in EKU's last five games. Freshman Jomaru Brown came off the bench and contributed 18 points to the Colonels' cause.
 
Jordan Walker led Morehead State with 18 points. Two Eagles – James Baker (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Lamontray Harris (13 points, 11 rebounds – recorded double-doubles.
 
Morehead State out-rebounded EKU, 46-39.
 
Eastern was within two of Morehead State, 23-21, when Mayo hit a free throw with 7:20 remaining in the first half. The Eagles then went on a 13-6 run to distance themselves. A three-pointer by Cooper gave the hosts a nine-point lead, 36-27, at the 4:06 mark.
 
Walker drained a jumper at the buzzer to send the Eagles into the locker room at halftime up by 10, 44-34.
 
The Colonels scored the first six points out of halftime and cut the deficit to four, 44-40, on two Mayo foul shots. But MSU responded with an 11-4 to push its lead back to double digits.
 
EKU returns home to host Murray State on Saturday. Tip from McBrayer Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.