2018 OVC Men's Basketball Championship - Semifinals

3/2/2018 9:30:28 AM

#1 MURRAY STATE 70, #4 JACKSONVILLE STATE 63
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Terrell Miller Jr. had 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds and No. 1 seed Murray State advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference championship with a 70-63 win over No. 4 seed Jacksonville State on Friday night.

The Racers (25-5) closed the game on an 8-0 run, taking the lead for good on Jonathan Stark's 3-pointer that made it 65-63 with 2:14 left. Stark added a pair of free throws and Shaq Buchanan scored on a tip-in and then split a pair of free throws to cap the scoring.

Jacksonville State (21-12) erased a 20-point deficit and took the lead at 63-62 on Marlon Hunter's 3-point play with 2:41 left. But the Gamecocks went scoreless from there, missing their final four shots.

Stark made four 3s and finished with 22 points for the Racers, who have won 12 straight. Ja Morant added 11 points.

Christian Cunningham had 16 points, Jamall Gregory scored 15 and Marlon Hunter added 13 for the Gamecocks.

#2 BELMONT 94, #3 AUSTIN PEAY 79
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Amanze Egekeze hit a career-high nine 3-pointers and tied a career high with 32 points to help No. 2 seed Belmont beat No. 3 seed Austin Peay 94-79 in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Friday night.

Belmont (24-8) will face top-seeded Murray State in the championship on Saturday.

Egekeze made his first nine attempts from the field, all from 3-point range, with eight of them coming after halftime. He had 29 points in the second half.

Belmont opened the game on a 13-0 run and led the entire way. Austin Peay cut the deficit to 34-30, but the Bruins pulled away before halftime, had their largest lead at 85-64 and went unchallenged down the stretch.

Austin Luke had 18 points and tied a career high with 13 assists for the Bruins. Dylan Windler added 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.

Terry Taylor had 25 points and Averyl Ugba scored 23 for the Governors (18-14).