Morrison leads Eagles in second half rout over Berea

BEREA, Ky. – Phillip Morrison continued his high-scoring performance with a season-high 35 points in Asbury’s 88-60 victory over Berea on Tuesday night in the Seabury Center.  The senior guard from Louisville notched his third 30 point game of the season and ninth with at least 20, and his third straight.

The Eagles (12-6, 3-1 KIAC) turned a close game in the first half into a blowout in the second by limiting Berea (11-8, 2-1) to 22% shooting after intermission.  Morrison helped the Eagles overcome a nine point deficit in the first half (21-12) by scoring 20 points the first half.  Asbury closed the half on a 32-18 run to take a 45-39 lead into the break.

Morrison tied a career high with 14 made field goals, including four from beyond the arc.  Usually adept at getting to the line, Morrison took only four free-throw attempts, making three.  He finished 14-of-20 from the floor and 4-of-7 from three-point range. 

Justin Jones (Hazard, Ky.) added his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Flip Crawford just missed on his own double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds as the Eagles beat up the Mountaineers on the glass, 53-41. 

Berea was able to keep the game close in the first half thanks to offensive rebounds and Rudy Evans.  Evans scored 12 of his team-high 16 in the first half but shot only 2-of-6 after the break after shooting 5-of-9 in the first half.  The Mountaineers pulled down 12 offensive rebounds in the first half which help make up for their 32% shooting.

Asbury now sits in a three team tie for first in the KIAC with one loss, joining Indiana East and Indiana Southeast.  The Eagles will jump out of conference play on Thursday as they head to Cincinnati to take on Temple Baptist at 7:30 pm.  They’ll get back to the KIAC for the remainder of the season on Saturday as they host Brescia at 3:00 pm.