EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball was outgunned from beyond the three-point arc by Morehead State University and lost today, 81-70, in Screaming Eagles Arena. The Screaming Eagles are to 5-15 overall and 2-5 in OVC play, while the MSU Eagles are 15-5 overall, 6-1 OVC.
It was the MSU Eagles who took command early, using a 15-7 surge to lead 24-13 with 10:15 to play in the opening half. The Screaming Eagles were out matched on the glass during the first 10 minutes, 12-1.
After falling behind by 14 (29-15), USI methodically started to cut the deficit to eight, 32-24, with 2:55 left in the half on a 9-3 run. Morehead State would close out the final three minutes of the half with a 10-4 run to take a 42-28 lead into the break.
USI flew out of the out of the locker room to start the second half and quickly cut the deficit to single-digits, 45-36, when sophomore guard/forward AJ Smith (Edwardsville, Illinois) converted an old fashion three-point play with 17:47 to play. The Screaming Eagles and the MSU Eagles continued to battle until USI cut the deficit to six, 52-46, after a pair of free throws by junior forward Nick Hittle (Indianapolis, Indiana) with 12:53 to play.
Morehead State would run its lead back into double digits by the midway point of the final half, taking the margin back to as many as 16 points in the final two minutes before settling for the 81-70 final.
On the statistics page, junior guard Jeremiah Hernandez (Chicago, Illinois) reached 30 points for the second time this season to lead USI. Hernandez was six-of-12 from the field, including a three-pointer, and 17-19 from the stripe.
Hittle rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points. He was four-of-five from the field and three-of-seven from the stripe.
As a team, USI lost the battle of the board
