HTML STATS | PDF STATS | ARCHIVED WEBCAST | ARCHIVED BROADCAST | GREG TODD POST-GAMEMOREHEAD, Ky. -- Senior guard Almesha Jones poured in a season-high 29 points, and the Morehead State women's basketball team used a 15-2 run midway through the second half to score a 90-82 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Tennessee Tech on Monday night at Johnson Arena.
The Eagles, who snap a three-game skid, improve to 12-15 overall, 8-6 in conference play and 7-6 at home. The Golden Eagles, who drop their 11th straight tilt, slip to 5-23 overall, 2-13 in league action and 1-14 on the road. Morehead State also sweeps the season series against Tennessee Tech.
"We had been in an offensive slump, so I was glad to see us score some points," Head Coach Greg Todd said. "We made two-point shots, three-point shots and got to the foul line. Tennessee Tech is better than its record indicates, so scoring 90 points against them was quite an accomplishment."
Jones, who connected on 8-of-13 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free-throw stripe, added 11 assists and three steals. Jones, who ranks in the top five nationally for assists, now has five double-doubles, 21 double-figure scoring performances and eight double-figure assist efforts this year.
Sophomore forward Shay Steele contributed 22 points and seven rebounds for MSU on 7-of-13 from the floor and 8-of-12 from the foul line. Sophomore guard Aaliyah Wells tallied 11 points for the Eagles, while freshman forward Eriel McKee registered 10 points and freshman forward Brooke Todd contributed 10 rebounds and four blocked shots.
"We had contributions from several players tonight, which was great to see," Todd said. "Almesha, Shay and Eriel gave us quality performances from the starting unit. Aaliyah and Brooke gave us a nice lift off the bench. I would call this a team win because everyone brought something to the table."
Morehead State knocked down 55 percent (30-of-55) overall, 36 percent (5-of-14) from three-point range and 74 percent (25-of-34) from the charity stripe. TTU drilled just 38 percent (28-of-73) from the floor and 35 percent (6-of-17) from long range, but made 87 percent (20-of-23) from the foul line.
Junior guard Samaria Howard paced the Golden Eagles with game highs of 28 points and 13 rebounds. She made just 6-of-21 from the field, but knocked down 16-of-18 from the free-throw line.
Senior center Candace Parson (14) and senior forward T'Keyah Williams (12) also reached double figures in scoring for Tennessee Tech. Williams also collected eight rebounds and four assists.
Morehead State led for 38 minutes. The Eagles held a 12-point lead, their largest of the night, with 8:35 to play. Tennessee Tech grabbed a 57-56 edge with 12:20 remaining, but missed six consecutive shots to give the momentum back to MSU.
The Eagles recorded a 42-28 advantage in paint points. Morehead State handed out 17 assists on 30 field goals, while the Golden Eagles were credited with 19 helpers on 28 buckets.
Morehead State has guaranteed itself a .500 conference record for the first time since the 2010-11 season. The Eagles have also punched their ticket to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in Nashville for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign.
MSU visits Tennessee State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET and wraps up the regular season with Senior Day against Jacksonville State on Saturday at 3 p.m. Jones, Casey Ryans, Mackenzie Arledge and Maiki Viela will be recognized on Saturday.
