Women's Hoops falls to EKU in overtime battle, 100-93

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RICHMOND, Ky.— Junior guard Brianna McQueen played the role of hero to force the game into overtime for Morehead State women's basketball, but Eastern Kentucky prevailed in the extra period, 100-93, at McBrayer Arena on Saturday night.
 
With 2:14 left to play in the fourth quarter, MSU trailed 80-70, but it was just enough time for the fast attack of the Eagles to mount a ferocious comeback on their rival. McQueen hit a jumper to make it an eight-point deficit, followed by a steal and fast-break layup by Miranda Crockett to bring MSU within six, 80-74. Junior forward Eriel McKee hit a pair of free throws, pulling the game to only a four-point advantage for the hosting Colonels.
 
EKU extended its lead back to six, but senior guard Natalie Greenwell hit a three-point bucket to bring the game back within 82-79. MSU and EKU traded buckets and free throws, keeping the Eagles at bay (85-82) with only nine seconds left on the clock. Following a thirty-second timeout by EKU, MSU inbounded the ball on its side of the floor. McQueen took the pass and sprinted to the top of key, hitting a long-range three from the point of the elbow and sending the game into an extra period.
 
In overtime, EKU and MSU traded shots all the way to the 26-second mark. With the Colonels leading 94-93, they ended the game on a 7-0 run to put the Eagles away.  
 
"We are getting better, and we haven't peaked," said Head Coach Greg Todd. "We've been playing consistent, but we have to keep getting better. With a young, athletic team like this, we have to accept a style of play that is fast paced, providing us with spurts to where we challenge all the teams in a very tough conference."
 
In a game of runs, MSU (9-14, 3-6 Ohio Valley Conference) and EKU (11-9, 5-4) exchanged the lead six times and tied six times throughout the evening. This marked the second loss for the Eagles in the last five games and snapped a two-game losing skid for the Colonels.
 
McQueen finished with a team-high 21 points and pulled down six rebounds. Crockett continued her productive week with 17 points, hitting 8-of-12 from the floor. McKee returned to form following an ankle injury, scoring 15 points and snatching nine rebounds. Senior guard Natalie Greenwell played a vital role in the second half, scoring nine of her 13 points and connecting on both shots from beyond the arc.
 
The Colonels were led by junior guard Michaela Hunter, who had a game-high 23 points. Junior forward Jalen O'Bannon finished the night with a double-double, scoring 18 points and swiping down 14 rebounds.
 
MSU will be on the road later this week in Nashville, Tenn., as it takes on Belmont Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Tennessee State on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.