CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO -- The Morehead State women's basketball team got a 34-point showing from the bench on the way to a 64-61 victory over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks on the road Sunday.
The Eagles (6-6, 1-0) had two players score in double figures, led by Katie Novik, who had a career-high 21 points. Hallie Rhodes added her career best 16 points and nine rebounds and Blessing King added four points, eight rebounds and five steals.
King pulled down four offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Morehead State, grabbing 13 boards and turning them into 11 second chance points.
The Morehead State defense was a problem in Sunday's game, forcing 20 Southeast Missouri State turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 22 points on the other end of the floor. King's five steals led the way individually for the Eagles.
The win marked the first road win of the season for MSU.
How It Happened
After falling behind 15-4, Morehead State went on a 5-0 run with 2:42 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Veronica Charles, to narrow its deficit to 15-9. Southeast Missouri State answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Eagles down 16-9 entering the second quarter.
Morehead State then cut the Redhawks lead to 25-22 before going on a 9-0 run to take a 31-25 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. Morehead State dominated in the paint, scoring 14 of its 22 points close to the basket.
Morehead State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 40-32 with 6:37 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Redhawks had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 49-43 edge. Morehead State took advantage of three Southeast Missouri State turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of takeaways.
Southeast Missouri State proceeded to take a 52-51 lead before Morehead State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Rhodes' jumper, to seize a 57-52 lead with 5:03 to go in the contest. The Redhawks narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Eagles still held on for the 64-61 win. Morehead State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 15 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Eagles held the Redhawks to only 37.1 percent shooting from the field.
» The Morehead State bench came alive by scoring 34 points to its scoring output.
» Morehead State had a 43-25 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Morehead State defense forced 20 turnovers.
» Katie Novik led the Eagles with a game-high 21 points.
» Morehead State got a game-high nine rebounds from Hallie Rhodes.
Morehead State returns home on Jan. 4, hosting OVC foe Tennessee Tech.
