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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Despite scoring the game's first 11 points, the Morehead State women's basketball team saw host Cleveland State use a 27-2 first-half run to gain momentum and defeat the Eagles 76-67 Wednesday at the Wolstein Center.
The Vikings improved to 2-3, while MSU dropped its first road game of the year and fell to 4-4 overall.
Senior guard Terrice Robinson scored a game-high 29 points, her fifth 20+ game this year. Junior forward Casey Ryans added a season-high 10 points, while freshman forward Billie Hearn registered a career-best eight points.
Cleveland State got a team-best 21 points from Kiersten Green, while Imani Gordon tossed in 19. CSU outscored the Eagles 30-7 at the free throw line as Morehead State was whistled for 34 infractions.
"We came out so good and hit shots, but I told them at halftime that we made the first move and when they made their move, we didn't respond," Head Coach Tom Hodges said. "We are just lacking that consistent fifth player right now. We did some good things, but it is just life on the road."
MSU raced to an 11-0 lead in the first 4:29 and eventually led 13-4 two minutes later, but MSU did not score again until the 5:38 mark as the Vikings hit 10 consecutive field goals in their run. Robinson drained a three-pointer from the left corner as time expired in the opening half to cut CSU's lead to 33-25.
The Vikings opened the game 0-for-6 from the field but hit 13 of their final 14 shots in the first period.
Cleveland State opened the final half on a 14-4 scoring spurt to increase its lead to 47-29. The hosts held a 58-44 advantage, but the Eagles used a 9-1 run to trim the margin to 59-53 at the 6:14 mark. MSU was never able to trim its disadvantage to less than five though.
Morehead State out-rebounded the Vikings 33-28. Robinson led the team with five boards. MSU committed 22 turnovers but had 19 assists. Junior guard Almesha Jones handed out a game-best eight assists.
"That is also way too many turnovers," Hodges said. "We have to value the basketball more."
Morehead State returns to action Sunday at Western Kentucky. Game time at E.A. Diddle Arena is set for 3 p.m. ET.
"It doesn't get any easier for us," Hodges added. "We have to grow up, but I saw some good things that gave us some hope today."
