Women's Hoops Plays Host to Marshall at Johnson Arena Thursday

GAME NOTES | SCHEDULE PAGE (LINKS TO LIVE STATS, AUDIO, & STREAMING)

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Following a hard fought loss at Presbyterian on Saturday, the Morehead State women's basketball team returns home this week for a game with a regional rival in the form of the Marshall Thundering Herd. 

Thursday's game marks the first tilt of a three game homestand for the Eagles, with tip off set for 6:00 p.m. ET from Johnson Arena. Fans can stream the action live on ESPN+ with Dean Hardin on the call or listen along on 96.3 WIVY where Tom Lewis and Wes Holland will be calling the action on the Eagle Sports Network. 

2023-24 RECORDS & CURRENT STREAK

• Morehead State (2-4, 0-0 OVC) L1
• Marshall (2-3, 0-0 SBC) L1

SERIES HISTORY & PREVIOUS MEETING

• Morehead State is 21-28 vs. Marshall all-time. 
• Marshall took the last two meetings between the two schools, the last being a 65-58 loss for the Eagles in Huntington. 
• The last meeting at Johnson Arena was a high-scoring affair, as Marshall defeated MSU 104-101. 
• Morehead State is 12-13 at Johnson Arena when playing Marshall. 

NOTABLE

• Rebounding has been a strong suit for Morehead State thus far this year, as the Eagles average just under 40 boards per game (39.7).
• Blessing King has been a monster on the glass for the Eagles, leading the team and ranking second in the OVC in rebounds per game (8.2). King leads the conference in offensive rebounds with 29, and is the lone player in the OVC with more than 15 offensive boards. 
• Along with rebounding, the three-point shot has been huge for MSU as well. Morehead State leads the conference in made threes this season at 59 in just six games, while being third in the conference in three-point percentage at 36%. 
• Melissa Secchiaroli leads the conference in made three pointers, and is second among qualified shooters in three-point percentage at 42.9%. She scored a career-high 22 points in MSU's loss to Presbyterian, going 6/10 from downtown. 
• Valentina Saric has kicked off her sophomore campaign nicely, setting a new career-high in points twice. She scored 18 points in the Eagles blowout victory over Ohio, and is currently shooting a team best 48.1% from beyond the arc. 
• Katie Novik has paced the Eagle offense all season long, and is the OVC's leader in assists with 34 on the year. She is averaging 5.7 per game with a season high of nine vs. Midway. 
• Morehead State's defense has forced turnovers at a high clip through six games, forcing 17.7 per game. MSU is averaging 19.3 points per night off those turnovers.