Women's Hoops Falls to Hot-Shooting EKU 73-60

Morehead, Ky. -- Laura Toffali posted her first double-double of the season with 24 points and 10 rebounds, but Morehead State fell to Eastern Kentucky 73-60 Wednesday afternoon in Johnson Arena.
 
Toffali made 11 of her 20 attempts from the floor, including one of two from three-point range. Her 24 points set a new career-high. Her 10 rebounds and five steals matched her season-highs. She played in all but 10 seconds in the game. MSU's Marie Sepp added 11 points and Landon Forbes added 10.
 
"We knew coming in that Laura is capable of that type of performance," said MSU head coach Ashton Feldhaus. "We have to get some other players going, but in the meantime, and it's not fair to her, but we're going to need her to carry a big part of the load right now."
 
Morehead State (2-4) shot 38% (24-63) from the floor, but struggled from long range, hitting just 21% (5-22). EKU also shot 38% (18-48) from the floor but also shot 38% from three-point range (9-24).
 
Eastern Kentucky (6-1) placed four players in double figures scoring, led by Joseana Vaz who posted 21 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Liz Freihofer finished with 16, Ella Bradley chipped in 11 and Althea Kara Angeles added 10.
 
"Credit to EKU, they played well," said Feldhaus. "This may be one of Greg's (EKU head coach Greg Todd) better teams. I thought they executed fantastically today. They have shooters, their point guard is good and their inside players play very physically."
 
"To our kids' credit, every set play we defended well. The difference was they hit shots and we did not. They hit shots with a hand in their face and they hit almost every open shot," said Feldhaus.
 
EKU used an 8-0 run to close out the opening quarter to take a 19-12 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Colonels shot 50% (5-10) from the three-point range (and 43% from the floor) in the opening frame, while MSU hit just one of their six trey attempts and shot 29% from the field.
 
The Eagles' shooting woes continued in the second quarter; MSU again hit just one of their six three-point attempts. Morehead State improved to 43% from the floor (6-14) in the second quarter. EKU took a 36-26 lead into the intermission.
 
Eastern Kentucky came out of the intermission with a 6-0 run to extend the lead to 42-26. The Colonels blistered the nets shooting 6-10 from the floor, making two of their four three-point attempts. Vaz scored nine points in the frame, including a driving layup at the horn to give EKU their largest lead of the afternoon at 58-41.
 
The Morehead State offense awakened in the fourth quarter; the Eagles shot 6-15 (40%) from the floor and made two of their six three-point attempts. MSU cut the lead down to single digits twice: the first on a Forbes three-pointer with 5:26 to go, and again on a Kate Dike trey at the 3:10 mark. EKU iced the game at the free throw line, hitting 13 of 14 from the line in the final quarter.
 
After a Thanksgiving break, the Eagles continue their home stand Sunday when they square off with Marshall at Johnson Arena. Tipoff of scheduled for 2:00 p.m.


 
NOTABLE

• Morehead State forced 20 Colonel turnovers while committing 15. The Eagles held a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Eastern Kentucky was deadly at the free throw line shooting 28-31 (90%).  MSU shot 7-10 (70%). Both teams were whistled for 19 fouls. Freihofer led the effort from EKU going 10-11 from the charity stripe.
• EKU out-rebounded MSU 39-32. Offensive rebounds were even at 8-8. The Eagles held a 6-4 edge in second-chance points.