Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
MOREHEAD, Ky. – Even before the tipoff Thursday night, the Morehead State women’s basketball team had a 2-0 lead over visiting UT Martin. The Skyhawks were assessed an administrative technical foul for not having their starters in the official book on time, and MSU used the two free throws to catapult it to a 17-2 early lead as the Eagles never looked back in winning 103-82 over UTM at Johnson Arena.
MSU improved to 5-3 overall and opened the OVC season 1-0. UTM fell to an even 3-3 and 0-1 in the league.
The Eagles continued their streak of double digit wins over the Skyhawks as they posted a seventh straight victory over their OVC rivals by at least 15 points or more. It was the first 100-point game for MSU since early in the 2005-06 season and the first against a Division I program since the 2000-01 team did it against Murray State on February 28, 2001.
Chynna Bozeman paced five Eagle players in double figures with a season high 31 points. She also had nine assists and three steals as she set an MSU single game record with 18 free throws made and 20 charity tosses attempted. Ashar Harris posted her fourth straight double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Linda Dixon scored a career high 14 points, while Courtney Lumpkin contributed 11, and freshman Allie Turner added 10, scoring all 10 from the free throw line.
The Eagles tied a school single game record by hitting 39 free throws as they attempted a season high 48. MSU also out-rebounded the Skyhawks 51-49. Channing Hillman grabbed 10 rebounds as well in addition to adding eight points.
UT Martin was led by a 31-point outburst from freshman Heather Butler as she hit 12-of-15 free throws. Jasmine Newsome tallied 18 points. Jaclissa Haislip led all players with 11 rebounds.
The Eagles’ relentless defensive pressure limited the Skyhawks into just three made field goals in the first 13 minutes as MSU built its advantage out to 29-8 with 7:20 left in the first period. MSU continued to hold onto its large lead, pushing it to 35-15 with 3:24 remaining in the opening stanza.
The Eagles shot 44 percent in the opening half, hitting 14-of-32 tries while holding UTM to just 23 percent (8-of-35). The Eagles were also 12-of-15 at the free throw line in building a 44-28 halftime advantage.
In the second half, a period that inched by with 26 fouls called, the Eagles built a 60-35 lead with 12:41 left after a Bozeman triple. The lead ballooned to 80-53 after a Bozeman-to-Harris pass and layup. The Eagles finally hit the 100-point mark with 2:05 left on a Turner free throw. The Eagles’ biggest advantage came with five minutes left (31) at 93-62.
MSU finished the game shooting 42 percent while limiting UTM to just 35 percent.
The Eagles get back to action on Saturday when they host Murray State. Tipoff is set for 5:45 p.m. EST.
