MOREHEAD, KY --The Morehead State women's basketball team fell to the Eastern Illinois Panthers 105-103 in four overtimes at home Saturday in one of, if not the, longest games in program history.Â
The Eagles (12-11, 7-5 OVC) had four players score in double figures, led by Hallie Rhodes, who had a career-high 26 points and three steals. Veronica Charles added a double-double with a career-high 23 points and 11 rebounds and Katie Novik chipped in as well with 15 points, four assists and two steals.
The Morehead State offense was impressive from beyond the arc, knocking down eight threes on 23 attempts. Matilda Soderlund hit three treys for the Eagles in the contest.
The Morehead State defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 25 Eastern Illinois turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 27 points on the offensive end of the floor. Blessing King's three steals led the way individually for the Eagles.
How It Happened
After falling behind 21-13, Morehead State went on a 6-0 run with 56 seconds left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from King, to narrow its deficit to 21-19, a score that would hold for the rest of the period.
Eastern Illinois kept adding to that lead, building a 39-30 advantage before Morehead State went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Skylar Barnes, to narrow its deficit to 39-35. The Eagles continued to chip away, reducing the Eastern Illinois lead to 42-39 heading into the break.
After intermission, Morehead State cut its deficit to 54-52 before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Charles, to grab a 58-54 lead with 3:04 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 61-59 edge. Morehead State knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 22 total points.
Morehead State then surrendered that advantage as Eastern Illinois forced overtime by tying things up at 71-71 by the end of the fourth. Morehead State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring six of its 10 points in the paint.
Eastern Illinois then snagged a 99-94 advantage with 1:14 left in the third overtime before Morehead State responded by going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Melissa Secchiaroli's layup, to even the score at 99 all with 44 seconds to go in the period. The Eagles kept the comeback going, forcing another extra frame before the Panthers finally prevailed in the fourth overtime to defeat Morehead State 105-103.
Game Notes
» Veronica Charles notched an impressive double-double for the Eagles with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
» Morehead State lit it up from three point land, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» Morehead State rallied from a three-point 42-39 halftime deficit to force overtime before ultimately coming up short.
» Morehead State recorded 16 total assists in the game.
» The Morehead State defense forced 25 turnovers.
» Morehead State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 23 offensive boards in the game.
» Hallie Rhodes led the Eagles with 26 points and Veronica Charles added 23.
» Three players reached double figures in rebounds for Morehead State. King grabbed 11 rebounds, Veronica Charles contributed 11, and Skylar Barnes tacked on 5.
Morehead State will load the bus this week for road games at Little Rock and UT Martin.Â
