The Presbyterian College men's basketball team suffered a 77-55 setback to Morehead State in its home opener Thursday night at Templeton Center in Clinton, S.C.  Freshman Owen McCormack, in just 17 minutes of action led the team in scoring with 11 points, nine of which came off a career-best three three-pointers.
 
Scoring the game
Morehead State came out firing on all cylinders, building an 18-2 lead the opening seven minutes with the lone PC basket a Michael Isler layup at the 17:36 mark. A Sean Jenkins three-pointer and JC Younger free throw cut the margin to 12, but five unanswered put the Eagles ahead 23-6, 10:20 to go. The next six minutes saw the PC and MSU trade baskets, with a Jenkins three-pointer and a Cory Hightower layup helping the Blue Hose the lead to 14, 3:58 on the clock. The Eagles outscored PC 5-2 the final three-and-a-half minutes to head into the locker room with the 36-19 lead.
 
A couple of quick baskets by Chris Martin to open the second half helped PC cut the margin to 15, 28-23, 18:05 left. That would be the closest as PC would get, with a 7-2 run over the next three minutes put the visitors ahead by 20, 45-25.  Owen McCormack hit three three-pointers and a layup in a span of four minutes to help PC cut the margin to 19, 1:59 remaining.  Morehead State scored the final four points to close out with the 22-point, 77-55 win.
 
Players of the Game
Owen McCormack played just 17 minutes but finished with the team-lead in scoring with 11, helped by three three-pointers. Cory Hightower scored 10 points and tied for the team-lead in rebounds with five.  Ben Drake recorded five boards as well. LJ Bryan led MSU with 13 points and eight rebounds.
 
Stats of the Game
PC struggled from the field in the first half, hitting eight of 29, including two-of-15 from beyond the three-point arc. MSU was 14-of-31 from the field in the first, and hit four three-pointers.  The Blue Hose shot better in the second half with 51.9%, to finish the game with 39.3.  MSU continued to shoot well, with 59.3% in the second half for 51.7 in the game. Morehead State out-rebounded PC 41-25, and posted two fewer turnovers, 10-12.
 
For the Record
PC drops to 1-2 overall, while MSU improves to 3-0.
 
Notables
Sean Jenkins scored a career-high eight points.
Owen McCormack scored a career-high 11 points off a best three three-pointers.
 
Up Next
The Blue Hose head to South Bend, Ind., to take on Notre Dame in a 7 p.m., contest Monday, Nov. 18. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra and WPCC.