Cowart, Morant score 23 apiece; Murray State beats EIU 86-75
Morant starts hot, finishes strong for 23 points
Ja Morant hits four 3-pointers to start the game and throws down a nasty windmill dunk as a part of his 23-point night in Murray State's win.
MURRAY, Ky. -- Darnell Cowart and Ja Morant each scored 23 points as Murray State rallied to beat Eastern Illinois 86-75 on Thursday night.
Trailing 71-64 with nine minutes left, the Racers (18-4, 9-2 Ohio Valley Conference) ended the game on a 22-4 run. Cowart and Morant combined for 10 points in the stretch. Brion Whitley stole the ball and threw a cross-court pass to Morant, who finished the play with an emphatic one-handed windmill dunk with 36 seconds left. Morant also made four consecutive 3-pointers to start the game.
Cowart was 8 of 13 from the field, made all seven of his free throws and grabbed 12 rebounds. Morant was 7-of-19 shooting and had 11 assists. They each made four of the Racers' nine 3-pointers. Shaq Buchanan added 18 points and Tevin Brown chipped in nine points and 11 rebounds for Murray State (18-4, 9-2 Ohio Valley Conference).
Josiah Wallace scored 18 points to lead Eastern Illinois (14-11, 6-5). Mack Smith had 13 points and Cam Burrell added 11.
Game Information
- Referees:
- John St. Clair
- James Hicks
- Mick Fieldbinder
2023-24 Ohio Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Morehead State | 14-4 | - | 26-9 |
UT Martin | 14-4 | - | 21-11 |
Little Rock | 14-4 | - | 21-13 |
Western Illinois | 13-5 | 1 | 21-12 |
Tennessee State | 10-8 | 4 | 18-15 |
SIU Edwardsville | 9-9 | 5 | 17-16 |
Eastern Illinois | 8-10 | 6 | 14-18 |
Tennessee Tech | 5-13 | 9 | 10-21 |
Southern Indiana | 5-13 | 9 | 8-24 |
Southeast Missouri State | 4-14 | 10 | 9-22 |
Lindenwood | 3-15 | 11 | 9-22 |
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |