Charles Pours in 31 Points, Women's Hoops Prevails in Double OT at Western Illinois

MACOMB, IL -- The Morehead State women's basketball team battled for four quarters and two additional overtime periods on Thursday, and ultimately prevailed over Western Illinois for a huge road win. 

The Eagles (14-13, 9-7 OVC) were led by Veronica Charles, who poured in a career-high 31 points, which marked the most points scored in a regular season game by an Eagle since 12/10/2017 (Darianne Seward vs. Evansville). The senior guard added seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals in addition to her point total. 

Alongside Charles, Katie Novik (15), Hallie Rhodes (13), and Matilda Soderlund (10) scored in double figures. Blessing King came up big on the glass, grabbing 12 rebounds. 

King pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Morehead State, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into 12 second chance points.

Morehead State forced 18 Western Illinois turnovers, winning the turnover battle 18-14 Thursday's game. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 21 points on the other end of the floor. Novik's four steals led the way for Morehead State.

How It Happened

Morehead State started off strong, putting together a 12-8 lead heading into the second quarter. Morehead State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 12 points.

Morehead State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 6:09 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Charles, to increase its lead to 23-12. The Eagles proceeded to tack on three points to that lead and enjoyed a 30-16 advantage heading into halftime. Morehead State forced four Western Illinois turnovers in the period and turned them into six points.

Morehead State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Novik, to expand its lead further to 40-23 with 3:15 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Leathernecks had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 42-32 edge. Morehead State played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 12 points in the paint.

Morehead State then surrendered that advantage as Western Illinois forced overtime by tying things up at 56-56 by the end of the fourth. Morehead State got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring three fast break points.

Morehead State kept it close before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by King's layup, to seize a 65-58 lead with 2:42 to go in the period. The Leathernecks fought back to extend the matchup, but Morehead State pulled away in the second overtime to pick up the 87-85 win.

Game Notes

» The Eagles held the Leathernecks to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Morehead State defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Morehead State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Veronica Charles led the Eagles with a game-high 31 points.
» Morehead State got a game-high 12 rebounds from Blessing King.

Morehead State has a well-deserved week off ahead before taking on SEMO and Lindenwood at Johnson Arena in the final two games of the regular season.