JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State men's basketball team suffered an 85-66 loss to Morehead State on Thursday at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
Despite shooting better than 45 percent and coming within one point of tying the game in the second half, the Gamecocks (10-6, 6-4 OVC) weren't able to match the MSU offense punch-for-punch from beyond the arc.
 
The Eagles (12-6, 9-2 OVC) shot a blistering 54.5 percent (12-for-22) from long range, seemingly hitting a big 3-pointer any time Jax State came within striking distance of the lead, while JSU was held to their lowest 3-point percentage (22.2 percent) since managing just three triples on 21 shots taken at Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 7.
 
"They were tougher than us," Head Coach Ray Harper said. "They were tough on the glass, I thought they executed and you have to give them credit. I told our kids the better team won the game tonight. There's not a question about that.
 
"I think we have to play harder on the defensive end more consistently. We'll have to look at the film and see what we need to change leading into Tuesday night's game against Eastern Kentucky."
 
Morehead State led from the opening basket and did not relinquish the advantage the entire game. Eagles' starting forwards James Baker and Johni Broome each tallied four points in the game's opening possessions to help MSU to a quick 10-2 lead.
 
The Gamecocks rallied back from a 13-point deficit in the first period to find themselves down just three at halftime. Morehead State went ahead 19-6 seven minutes through the opening stanza, but a 12-2 run help Jax State climb back into contention.
 
Jalen Finch scored 15 of his 17 points in the first 20 minutes. The point guard was 5-for-6 from the floor, a perfect 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Darian Adams pitched in with another eight points to lead JSU in first-half scoring.
 
The closest the Gamecocks came to tying the game was on an Adams free throw a couple of minutes into the second half, drawing the score to 38-37, but the Eagles soon pulled away and ended the contest on a 14-0 run to secure the win.
 
Adams finished the night with 18 points and was 5-for-5 from the charity stripe, while Finch tallied 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
 
Jacksonville State returns to Pete Mathews Coliseum on Tuesday, Feb. 2 to host Eastern Kentucky. Tipoff between the Gamecocks and Colonels is set for 6 p.m. Jax State looks to avenge a 69-66 overtime loss to EKU in Richmond, Kentucky earlier this season.
 
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