Morehead, Ky.-- The Morehead State women's basketball team opened their 2024-25 campaign with a 92-80 victory over Asbury University Monday night in Johnson Arena.
Sophomore guard Kate Novik led all scorers with a career-high 25 points, hitting nine of 13 from the floor, including one of two from three-point range. She also hit six of the seven free throws she attempted. Novik also swiped a career-high seven steals to go along with seven rebounds.
"I was happy with the fast start," said coach Chris Palmer. "We ran the floor well, and for the most part we got to our spots. We did a pretty good job of spreading out their zone and we were pretty effective in getting the ball to the middle."
Freshman Chrishawn Coleman added 16 for Morehead State in her collegiate debut with four steals and three rebounds.
Harley Paynter and Michelle Ugwah added 13 points apiece. Kuryn Brunson tossed in 11 points and hauled in 10 rebounds for her first double-double in her Morehead State career.
The Eagles held Asbury to just 12 points in the first quarter leading 25-12 after the first stanza.
"Starting out, we did a pretty good job of stopping the ball out towards half-court and funneling it one way," said Palmer. "We also did a good job of protecting the rim."
After trailing 49-31 at the half, Asbury responded by outscoring the Eagles 32-22 in the third quarter.
"We are going to have to work on our discipline in our on-ball defense," said Palmer. "Once we got tired after each of the media timeouts, our communication dropped way down, and we gave up some easy baskets," he said.
Asbury placed four players in double figures, led by sophomore Camryn Poole with 21 points. Haleigh Releford tossed in 14. Sophomore Ma'Kiya West added 12 points. Senior Camry Preston chipped in 11 and led Asbury with seven rebounds.
Morehead State returns to action Thursday as the Eagles head west for a two-game swing. Thursday MSU takes on New Mexico in Albuquerque. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET.
The Eagles will travel to Texas to face off with Texas-El Paso Sunday evening; that tip is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
The next home game for Morehead State will be November 17th, when the Eagles take on Lipscomb. Tip-off is slated for 3:00 p.m.
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