BOX SCORE
MARTIN, TN --The Morehead State women's basketball team went into the half beating UT Martin 26-25, but could not hang on in the second half and fell 63-48 to the Skyhawks on the road Saturday.
The Eagles had two players score in double figures, led by Melissa Secchiaroli, who had 12 points and four assists. Sophie Benharouga tacked on 11 points and two steals off the bench and Isabel Gonzalez added eight points and two blocks.
The Morehead State offense was impressive from beyond the arc, knocking down eight threes on 25 attempts. Secchiaroli hit four treys for the Eagles in the contest.
Morehead State did a great job disrupting UT Martin shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Gonzalez's two rejections led the way individually for the Eagles.
The Eagles return to Johnson Arena on Jan. 5 against new OVC opponent Southern Indiana, with tip-off is slated for 5:00 PM.
How It Happened
Morehead State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 18-10 at the end of the first quarter.
UT Martin kept adding to that lead, building a 20-10 advantage before Morehead State went on a 9-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Hallie Rhodes, to narrow its deficit to 20-19. The Eagles kept the rally going and overtook the Skyhawks on a jumper from Sharnecce Currie-Jelks with 00:01 left for a 26-25 halftime advantage. Morehead State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 16 points close to the basket.
UT Martin then took a 36-29 lead following intermission before Morehead State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Crystal Corley, to trim its deficit to 36-34 with 6:33 to go in the third. UT Martin countered and stretched its lead to 48-38 heading into the fourth. Morehead State knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 12 total points.
UT Martin kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 59-41 advantage before Morehead State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Secchiaroli's three, to shrink the deficit to 59-47 with 4:47 to go in the contest. UT Martin responded and outscored the Eagles the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 63-48. Morehead State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 10 points.
Game Notes
» Morehead State lit it up from three point land, knocking down eight triples in the game.
» The Eagles held the Skyhawks to only 40 percent shooting from the field.
» The Eagles shared the ball well, recording an assist on 74 percent of made baskets.
» The Morehead State bench came alive by adding 31 points to its scoring output.
» Melissa Secchiaroli and Sophie Benharouga came off the bench to score 12 and 11 points, respectively.
» The Morehead State defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Morehead State got four rebounds from both Melissa Secchiaroli and Tolisha Walker.
