Morant's triple-double leads Murray St. past E. Illinois (Dec 28, 2017)

By AP
Published

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) Ja Morant distributed 14 assists, scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first triple-double and Murray State pulled away from Eastern Illinois for an 80-52 win Thursday night to start Ohio Valley Conference play.

Morant, a freshman, topped his previous career high of 12 assists and committed just one turnover in the process. Jonathan Stark led Murray State (9-3) with 21 points, Shaq Buchanan scored 15 and Terrell Miller Jr., 11.

Stark had his own 8-0 run with a dunk and pair of 3-pointers, Byron Hawkins scored on a jump shot and the Racers led 22-9. The Panthers got back in it with an 8-0 run with Jajuan Starks scoring five and Montell Goodwin added a 3 before Stark made three free throws after he got fouled by Ray Crossland on a 3-point attempt for a 25-17 lead.

Brion Sanchious made a pair of free throws for a 41-31 lead before halftime and the Racers were up double figures the rest of the way.

Goodwin led Eastern Illinois (4-8) with 16 points and D'Angelo Jackson scored 13.