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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State women's basketball will officially begin its 2016-17 campaign with the first leg of the Donna Murphy Classic, presented by Kentucky Bank, on Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13 at Johnson Arena. The weekend portion of the showcase will tip off with Morehead State versus Georgia State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
"We're thrilled to open the season on Friday," said Eagles head coach
Greg Todd. "We know we'll have to play well just to be in the game. It's going to be a great weekend."
The Eagles are coming off a 93-32 win over Transylvania (Ky.) in Morehead State's lone exhibition test of the season. Sophomore point guard
Miranda Crockett led the way with 26 points, eight assists, five steals, and five rebounds. Senior guard
Aaliyah Wells added 22 points, seven steals, and six rebounds.
"I think the first game is one players can get nervous about," Todd said. "Our defense is definitely getting better, but we have our work cut out for us."
Last season, the Eagles defeated Georgia State 99-90 in Atlanta. Five of the six Morehead State players who scored in double figures a year ago will face the Panthers on Friday.
"It will be a hard-fought game against Georgia State," said Todd. "We know it will be tough, but we hope to have another great game with them."
Eastern Michigan – the third of four teams participating in the Donna Murphy Classic – will battle Georgia State on Saturday at 6 p.m., before the weekend's final contest with the Eagles on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
"Eastern Michigan is a very talented team," Todd said. "We're just excited about having two quality opponents at home."
The classic will honor former Morehead State standout Donna Murphy, whose No. 44 jersey hangs in the Johnson Arena rafters. The 1980 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and three-time first team All-OVC performer is one of just two players to score over 2,000 career points in school history.
"It's great to be able to honor one of the greatest players to ever put on the Morehead State uniform," said Todd. "We're really thrilled to bring her back, help her, and help our program."
The Donna Murphy Classic will conclude next Tuesday, when Morehead State hosts Alice Lloyd (Ky.) at 12 p.m.
