COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Morehead State women's basketball team earned its first postseason victory in program history as they defeated Ohio State 71-61 in the first round of the 2019 Women's National Invitation Tournament on Wednesday evening at Value City Arena.
Junior guard
Aliyah Jeune knocked down 5-of-7 triples in the second half as Morehead State erased a 11-point deficit to come from behind for the win. Columbus native and senior
Darianne Seward shined in her first collegiate game back in her hometown as she added 17 points while racking up five assists.
Morehead State improves to 24-10 with the win.
"It's an awesome moment tonight," said head coach
Greg Todd. "You go through such a long season and have a lot of shining moments, but I thought tonight was an example of us playing our best basketball at tournament time. Every player played to their role."
Jeune, who went above 80 three-pointers made now for the season, scored a team-best 20 points and also added nine rebounds as the Eagles out-rebounded the home squad 44-34.
Graduate student
McKenzie Calvert added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists, while senior
Miranda Crockett extended her streak of double figure scoring games to 38 with 10 points.
"We played a tough schedule this year, and I don't think we were intimidated tonight," Todd added. "It was good to see Aliyah get going again tonight. She has been in a little bit of a slump but she has helped us in other areas. Darianne has typically played well in tight situations, so it was great to see her come home and have a great night."
Adreana Miller's triple put Ohio State up 38-27 with 7:25 left in the third period, but Seward's jumper and two ensuing free throws helped ignite an 18-3 run - capped by Jeune's triple - that eventually catapulted the Eagles into a 45-41 lead with 1:45 remaining in the quarter.
Morehead State never trailed again.
The Eagles even went on to build a 10-point cushion on five more occasions in the fourth quarter.
Morehead State shot 41 percent (27-of-66) for the game, but the important factor was the Eagles' 50 percent (16-of-32) effort in the second half run. Ohio State hit 41 percent overall, but MSU held the Big 10 foe to just 5-of-18 from long range.
The Eagles will move on to face the winner the first-round matchup between Miami (Ohio) and Western Kentucky. The RedHawks and Hilltoppers will meet on Thursday, the winner will host the Eagles on either Saturday or Sunday.
