MOREHEAD, Ky. (Interstat) — Morehead State edged Western Illinois 71-66 in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at E.T. Johnson Arena.

The Eagles improved to .500 at 10-10 overall, while the Leathernecks fell to 4-16.

Morehead State built a 39-32 halftime lead and maintained a narrow advantage throughout the second half. Western Illinois’ Lucas Lorenzen scored a game-high 26 points, but Morehead State’s Davion Cunningham answered with 18 points. The Eagles dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 21 rebounds to Western Illinois’ six, which proved decisive in the tight contest.

An announced crowd of 1,234 watched as Morehead State covered the pregame spread as a 9-point favorite. The total score of 137 surpassed the over/under line of 138.5.