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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Visiting Marshall proved too much for the Morehead State women’s basketball team Wednesday, using a 63 percent shooting accuracy to race past MSU 83-66 at Johnson Arena.
Morehead State falls to 1-3 on the season, while Marshall improves to 2-2.
Shooting percentages were the story of the game. The Thundering Herd started the game on a 17-6 run and never looked back while shooting a blistering 60.9 percentage in the field in the first half, including 3-of -6 from the three-point line and a 7-for-7 accuracy from the charity stripe. On the flip side, Morehead State began the game 2-of-17 shooting, including 0-of-5 from behind the arc. The ‘Herd were even better in the final half, hitting 65 percent. The Eagles finished the day at just 29 percent from the floor.
“We just never got anything going,” said MSU coach Tom Hodges. “I can’t fault our effort, but we just could not make that game-winning type shot that could get us back in the game. We never made that one big play on either end that got us back in it, so when we start making those plays, this team will be all right.”
Junior forward
Ashar Harris tallied her second straight double-double, recording 16 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Courtney Lumpkin also chipped in 15 points, four steals, three rebounds and three steals to lead the Eagles. Senior guard Linda Dixon netted 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Shynisha Johnson came off the bench to lead Marshall with 19 points, including four three-pointers. Veronica Ruiz tallied 13, and Victoria Wells dumped in 12 points. The Eagles forced 22 ‘Herd turnovers, but the visitors outscored MSU 42-22 in the paint
The Eagles cut the lead to eight at 24-16 after Harris’ traditional three-point play but could not close the gap further. Every time the Eagles looked poised to make a run, the ‘Herd answered with a play of their own to stop the MSU momentum. Marshall ran its lead out to as much as 14 (34-20) before settling for the nine-point halftime advantage at 38-29.
In the second half, Marshall pushed out to a 22-point lead (63-41) with 1:45 left, but the Eagles cut the lead to 10 after a series of positive plays. Sophomore guard
Allie Turner converted the unconventional four-point play after being fouled on a made three-pointer and scoring the free throw to cut it 67-55. On the next possession,
Tyler Ituen’s steal and layup cut it back to 67-57.
But, MSU never made it any closer as Marshall ran back out to as much as an 18-point lead in the final two minutes.
Marshall narrowly won the rebounding battle, grabbing 38 to the Eagles’ 37. MSU had 24 of its boards off the offensive glass but was only able to generate 14 second-chance points.
Morehead State takes to the skies now for the New Mexico Thanksgiving Classic, hosted by the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M., on Nov. 25-26. MSU plays the host Lobos on Friday at 9 p.m. ET and faces either Pepperdine or Idaho Saturday evening.
