Box Score
Box Score (PDF)
MARTIN, Tenn. – Junior Chynna Bozeman became the 19th player in Morehead State women’s basketball history to reach 1,000 career points as she tallied 24 points, grabbed a season high 10 rebounds and handed out five assists in MSU’s 59-42 Ohio Valley Conference opening victory at UT Martin Thursday night.
The Eagles (5-3/1-0 OVC) were 11-of-23 from three-point range in the first half as they built a 39-16 lead. In the second half, however, MSU had to withstand a UT Martin rally and its own troubles. The Eagles were only 1-of-16 shooting beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes and had eight turnovers. UTM, however, couldn’t take advantage as the Skyhawks were just 10-of-19 from the free throw line after neither team shot a charity toss in the opening half.
“That was probably the best first half we have played all year and probably the worst second half,” said head coach Mike Bradbury. “I am not sure what we were doing. I think we got a big lead and then we just lost our composure and our intensity. I am very happy we won a conference game on the road though. That is hard to do in our league.”
Besides Bozeman’s night, sophomore Courtney Lumpkin sparked the first half onslaught by hitting 5-of-7 three-pointers and scoring 15 of her season high 17 in the opening period. She also handed out five assists on the day. Senior Tiffany Hamilton reached double figures in points for the fifth straight game with 12 and also came up with a career high six steals. MSU swiped the ball from UTM 15 times to set a season high.
The Skyhawks led 12-11 with 12:47 remaining in the first half, but Lumpkin began a 12-0 run with a trey. Sophomore Abby Steele bookended the run with another three-ball at 9:23. MSU proceeded to push its lead to 31-14 before UTM’s Alecia Weatherly stopped the mini-run with a bucket at 5:03. That was the final field goal the Skyhawks scored in the first half.
In the second half, the Skyhawks scored the first 13 points and cut the MSU lead down to 10 (39-29). Bozeman finally got the Eagles going again with a jumper at the 13:21 mark. UTM cut the margin to as low as seven (41-34), but a couple of Lumpkin free throws and a Steele triple pushed the MSU lead back out to double digits.
For the game, MSU shot 36 percent after opening the game with a season best 52 percent for a half. The Eagles hit 9-of-10 free tosses, while the Skyhawks made just 10-of-19. Weatherly led UTM with a season high 19 points and eight rebounds, while Jessica Pace tallied 10 points.
Morehead State stays on the road and travels to Murray State on Saturday for a 6:15 p.m. EDT tipoff against the Lady Racers.
