Barnes' Career-Best 25 Points Leads Women's Hoops Past TSU

MOREHEAD, KY -- Skylar Barnes had her finest hour at the collegiate level on Saturday afternoon, pouring in a career-high 25 points -- the most by an Eagle this year and most since 1/23/2020 -- to go along with Veronica Charles' 20 point outing in the Morehead State women's basketball team's 86-78 win over Tennessee State. 

Barnes and Charles' stellar scoring performances led the Eagles (7-7, 2-1) in the contest. Barnes tacked on six rebounds and Charles added three assists and two steals. Katie Novik also helped out with 14 points, six assists, three steals and two blocks. 

Morehead State out-rebounded Tennessee State 40-28 in Saturday's game, paced by 11 boards from Blessing King. The Eagles also pulled down 10 offensive rebounds and scored eight second chance points.

The Morehead State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Tennessee State turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 14 points on the other end of the floor. Novik's three steals led the way individually for the Eagles.

The Eagles got to the foul line at a high rate and were efficient there, making 25-31 free throws. 

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 13-10 advantage, Morehead State went on a 5-0 run with 3:11 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Melissa Secchiaroli, to increase its lead to 18-10, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Morehead State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 18 points.

Morehead State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 5:06 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Secchiaroli, to increase its lead to 32-21. The Tigers cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 42-34 advantage heading into halftime. Morehead State ran the fast break well, scoring seven fast break points.

Morehead State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run to expand its lead further to 61-45 with zero seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Morehead State took advantage of six Tennessee State turnovers in the quarter, scoring nine points off of takeaways.

The Eagles then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Morehead State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring nine of its 25 total points.

Game Notes

» The Eagles shot well from three point range, knocking down nine of 20 long range attempts.
» The Eagles held the Tigers to only 35.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Eagles never trailed after taking an 18-10 first quarter lead.
» The Morehead State bench made an impact by scoring 28 points to its scoring output.
» Morehead State had a 40-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Morehead State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Morehead State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Morehead State got a game-high 11 rebounds from Blessing King.

Up Next

A road trip to Lincoln Land is next on the docket for Morehead State, as the Eagles face Eastern Illinois and SIUE this week.