Valiant comeback falls short for Women's Hoops

BOX SCORE | ARCHIVED AUDIO

MORHEAD, Ky. -- In a high-scoring game, the Marshall women's basketball team hit 11 three-pointers to lead the Thundering Herd to a 104-101 victory over Morehead State in both teams' season openers at Johnson Arena Friday night.
 
Morehead State trailed by as many as 25 points in the third quarter and had a chance to tie the game but a missed three-pointer thwarted the valiant rally at the final buzzer.
 
The Eagles were led by junior guard Kay Kay Tate. In her first official game for the Eagles after transferring from Walters State (Tenn.), Tate finished the contest with 31 points, going 11-of-24 from the floor.
 
"I am very proud of the way we hung in there" said Head Coach Greg Todd. "I was really proud of our effort. We had a chance right until the end."
 
With 6:35 left to play in the fourth quarter, the Eagles made their move on the Thundering Herd. Trailing 97-78, MSU went on a 23-7 run to end the game. Over the final six minutes, six different Eagles scored to bring the game to an exciting finish. MSU forced five turnovers during the run, and Marshall ended the evening with 25 miscues.
 
Junior guard Aaliyah Wells and sophomore forward Eriel McKee both playing vital roles down the stretch run, chipping in 17 points apiece. Freshman guard Miranda Crockett added 15 points and a team best four assists, while senior guard Natalie Greenwell drained a trio of three pointers and tallied 11 points.
 
Defensively, McKee swiped a career best seven steals and pulled down a team best eight rebounds. Senior forward Shay Steele swatted a career best six shots.
 
Marshall finished shooting 51 percent from the floor, while MSU shot 44 percent. The Eagles sunk 10 treys. Marshall was led by guard Shayna Gore's 27 points.
 
MSU will have little time to think about the loss to Marshall as it will turn around and take on Kentucky Christian in less than 24 hours at Johnson Arena, with a tipoff set for 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday.