2020 OVC Men's Basketball Championship - Semifinals

3/6/2020 7:31:56 AM

#1 BELMONT 60, #4 EASTERN KENTUCKY 50
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Behind 15 points from sophomore Adam Kunkel, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Eastern Kentucky, 60-50, in the OVC semifinal round Friday night.

Belmont limited Eastern Kentucky to 29 percent shooting while forcing 12 turnovers.

Belmont led 30-21 at halftime, and increased the lead to 41-27 on a driving layin from freshman Ben Sheppard. A Kunkel basket made the score 60-42 with 1:40 remaining. Sophomore Grayson Murphy added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Russhard Cruickshank led Eastern Kentucky (16-17) with 15 points.

Belmont advances to its 11th conference championship in the last 15 years, facing either Murray State Saturday in the OVC Championship. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.

#2 MURRAY STATE 73, #3 AUSTIN PEAY 61
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Tevin Brown scored 24 points and KJ Williams had a double-double and Murray State beat Austin Peay 73-61 in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Friday.

The Racers (23-8) play conference top-seed Belmont on Saturday for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Murray State entered the tournament as the second seed.

Williams scored 15 with 11 rebounds, Chico Carter Jr. scored 10 and Devin Gilmore grabbed 10 rebounds.

OVC Player of the Year Terry Taylor led Austin Peay (21-12) with 27 points and 14 rebounds and Jordyn Adams scored 13.

After Taylor hit a 3-pointer to give the Governors a 44-43 lead with 12:49 remaining, Carter hit a jump shot and Brown sank three free throws and Murray State gradually begin to distance itself. Taylor's 3-point play reduced Austin Peay's deficit to 57-51 with 4:33 to go but it never got closer.