MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) Morehead State has promoted Preston Spradlin from interim to head coach after he led the Eagles from a 2-7 start to second place in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Spradlin was named interim coach on Dec. 15 when Sean Woods resigned following an independent investigation into allegations by two players that he assaulted them. Morehead State went 12-9 and 10-6 in the OVC from there under Spradlin, who finished second to Belmont's Rick Byrd in Coach of the Year voting.

Athletic director Brian Hutchinson said in a release Thursday that Spradlin earned the job and added that he "exhibits many fine qualities that I look for when considering head coaching candidates." The three-year assistant said he was grateful for the opportunity and "honored to continue serving our student-athletes in all facets."