BOX SCORE
SPARTANBURG, SC --Morehead State women's basketball team went into halftime leading USC Upstate 23-22, but could not pull away in the second half and fell 64-59 to the Spartans on the road Monday.
The Eagles had two players score in double figures, led by Sophie Benharouga, who posted a career-high 19 points to go alongside eight rebounds. Veronica Charles tacked on 14 points and Sandra Lin added six points, eight assists and three steals.
Benharouga pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Morehead State, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into eight second chance points.
Morehead State forced 19 South Carolina Upstate turnovers while committing 13 themselves in Monday's game. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Lin's three steals led the way for Morehead State.
The Eagles head to No.4 Indiana Sunday for their final non-conference matchup, with tip-off is slated for 2:00 PM.
How It Happened
Morehead State kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 12-11.
South Carolina Upstate kept adding to that lead, building a 19-17 advantage before Morehead State went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Crystal Corley, to take a 23-19 lead. The Spartans cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 23-22 advantage heading into halftime. Morehead State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 12 points close to the basket.
South Carolina Upstate then took a 24-23 lead following intermission before Morehead State went on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Isabel Gonzalez, to grab a 30-24 lead with 8:21 to go in the third. South Carolina Upstate responded to seize a 48-46 lead entering the fourth quarter. Morehead State played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 23 points in the paint.
Morehead State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 64-59. Morehead State took advantage of six South Carolina Upstate turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Morehead State defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Morehead State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Morehead State got a team-high eight rebounds from Sophie Benharouga.
