Over the course of eight ties and nine lead changes, Morehead State men's basketball picked up its first win of the 2017-18 season with an 86-83 thriller over Marshall in the Eagles' home-opener on Thursday night at Ellis T. Johnson Arena.
With the win, Morehead State reclaims possession of the Ellis Johnson Trophy, awarded to the winner of the annual series between rival schools separated by only 68 miles of real estate. The Eagles have emerged victorious in each of the last three matchups at Johnson Arena.
"That was a great, great effort by our kids tonight," said MSU head coach Preston Spradlin. "I was so proud of them. We bought in and did some really good things."
Marshall opened the contest with a three-pointer by freshman guard Jarrod West. Morehead State answered with a layup by Malek Green, but the Eagles did not taste the lead until a long-range jumper by Jordan Walker gave Morehead State a 29-28 advantage with 7:34 to go in the first half.
Sophomore forward Londell King led the Eagles with 10 points and eight rebounds at the break, but Morehead State trailed the Thundering Herd 44-39 at halftime.
After shooting 15-for-36 (.417) in the opening period, Morehead State came out firing on all cylinders with 15-of-29 (.517) shooting in the second half. All-Conference USA guard Jon Elmore gave the Herd a 67-66 lead via a three-pointer with 5:49 remaining, only to be answered 20 seconds later with two free throws from MSU junior Lamontray Harris. Morehead State would not trail for the rest of the ballgame.
Junior guard A.J. Hicks anchored the Eagles with 17 points and seven assists, logging his best game in a Morehead State uniform. Harris, who did not score in the first half, exploded for 14 points and nine rebounds on the night.
Sophomore guard Jordan Walker matched Harris' scoring output with 14 points and six boards, while King notched his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Djimon Henson poured in 12 points on 7-for-9 (.778) shooting from the charity stripe.
Morehead State outrebounded Marshall 50-27, including 19-5 on the offensive glass. Spradlin, who guided the team as interim head coach in 2016-17, recorded his first official win as the full-time leader of the program.
The Eagles are back in action next week, hitting the road for the first of three straight games away from home. Morehead State battles IUPUI on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
