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MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Visiting Northern Illinois shot 59 percent, including 63 percent beyond the three-point line, Sunday in handing the Morehead State women's basketball team a 76-46 defeat in the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament at Johnson Arena.
The Huskies improved to 2-1, while MSU fell to 1-2. NIU was 7-of-11 from the three-point arc and hit 27 of its 46 field goals overall.
"It's disappointing," MSU Head Coach Tom Hodges said. "We tasted a little bit of success yesterday (MSU defeated Kennesaw State 50-49), but we didn't battle through adversity at all today. It's all right to give up an open three once, but if you don't make defensive adjustments and let it happen again, then it's a problem. We have so much to work on."
Satavia Taylor hit all six of her three-pointers for a game-high 18 points to lead NIU. Jada Buggs had 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds, and Amanda Corral tallied 11 points.
The Eagles got a career-best 13 points from freshman guard Kailee Howe. She was 5-of-7 from the field before fouling out with 10 minutes left. Sophomore forward Casey Ryans grabbed a career-hgh nine rebounds, while junior guard Tyler Ituen corraled six boards.
Morehead State hit just 30 percent (14-of-47) from the field and was 5-of-25 from three-point range. In the second half, NIU limited the hosts to 25 percent from the floor (7-of-28).
The Huskies opened the game on a 13-1 run, including the first two triples from Taylor, and never trailed by less than seven. MSU cut it to 29-22 with 4:33 left, but the visitors scored the half's final eight. NIU opened the second half on a 14-5 flurry and pushed its advantage to 24 (51-27) with 13:11 remaining. MSU never trimmed the deficit below 20.
MSU returns to action on Wednesday at Xavier. Tipoff time is set for 7 p.m. ET at the Cintas Center. The game will be broadcast live on WIVY-96.3 FM and MSUEagles.com. Live stats are available through MSUEagles.com.
