MONDAY'S SCORES
East Tennessee State 63,
@Morehead State 59
EAST TENNESSEE STATE 63, MOREHEAD STATE 59
MOREHEAD, Ky. - Senior Jalen Riley and junior Lester Wilson combined for 39 points, while the East Tennessee State men's basketball team overcame a slow start to post a 63-59 non-conference win over Morehead State on Monday evening at Johnson Arena.
The Southern Conference Buccaneers improve to 4-1 overall and 2-1 on the road, while the Ohio Valley Conference Eagles slip to 4-5 overall and 2-1 at home. ETSU snaps a four-game skid in the all-time series, but MSU still holds a 28-25 head-to-head advantage.
Riley tallied a game-high 21 points off the bench, while Wilson added 18 and senior Rashawn Rembert contributed 10. Riley made just 5-of-16 from the field, but canned 9-of-12 from the free-throw stripe. Wilson drilled 6-of-10 overall, including 5-of-7 from long range.
The game featured eight ties and 15 lead changes. East Tennessee State hit 66 percent (25-of-38) from the free-throw line. Morehead State made 72 percent (13-of-18) from the same spot, but the Buccaneers were +12 on makes and +20 on attempts.
East Tennessee State opened the contest with a field-goal drought of 9:10. The Buccaneers converted just 25 percent (6-of-24) from the floor before intermission, but knocked down 50 percent (9-of-18) in the second half to finish at 36 percent (15-of-42).
Morehead State led for more than 21 minutes, while East Tennessee State was in the driver's seat for less than 13. The Eagles opened up a six-point advantage with 9:58 remaining, but the Buccaneers manufactured a late 13-4 run to secure the victory.
Senior Angelo Warner paced Morehead State with 13 points, while sophomore Corban Collins and junior Lyonell Gaines netted 12 apiece. Collins pulled down a game-best seven rebounds, while Warner was credited with a game-high five assists.
The Eagles registered advantages of 36-30 in rebounds, 14-11 in offensive boards, 14-5 in second-chance points and 16-8 in paint points. The Buccaneers turned 16 turnovers into 16 points, while MSU only managed eight points off 12 miscues.