CHARLESTON, IL -- Hallie Rhodes hit a buzzer-beating, game winning layup with just three seconds left in the game to lead the Morehead State women's basketball team past the Eastern Illinois Panthers 69-67 on the road Thursday, securing a second straight victory for the Eagles.
The Eagles (8-7, 3-1 OVC) had four players score in double figures, led by Skylar Barnes for the second straight game, who had 16 points and four steals while going three of four from beyond the arc. Rhodes tacked on 14 points and six rebounds and Melissa Secchiaroli helped out with 10 points from the bench.
The Morehead State offense was strong from three-point land, pouring in nine threes on 18 attempts. Secchiaroli hit three treys for the Eagles in the contest.
The Morehead State defense caused its share of mistakes in Thursday's game, forcing 14 Eastern Illinois turnovers while committing nine. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor. Barnes' four steals led the way individually for the Eagles.
Also on the defensive end, Morehead State held Macy McGlone -- one of the top scorers in the OVC -- to just 10 points on 3-9 shooting.
How It Happened
After falling behind 14-13, Morehead State went on an 11-0 run with 3:24 left in the first quarter to take a 24-14 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Morehead State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 24 points.
The Eagles maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 36-35 edge. Morehead State dominated in the paint, scoring six of its 12 points close to the basket.
Morehead State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Rhodes, to expand its lead further to 45-37 with 6:24 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Panthers had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 53-50 edge. Morehead State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 17 points in the paint.
Morehead State kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Barnes' three, to grow the lead to 67-61 with 1:56 to go in the contest. The Panthers tied the game with 9.2 seconds to play, but Hallie Rhodes scored the winner on an assist from Veronica Charles. Morehead State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Eagles made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down nine of 18 shots.
» The Eagles shared the ball well, recording an assist on 70 percent of made field goals.
» The Morehead State bench made an impact by scoring 29 points to its scoring output.
» Skylar Barnes and Melissa Secchiaroli came off the bench to score 16 and 10 points, respectively.
» The Morehead State defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Morehead State turned the ball over just nine times while dishing out 19 assists.
» Morehead State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Morehead State got six rebounds from both Blessing King and Hallie Rhodes.
