Morehead, Ky. – Morehead State shot nearly 50% from the floor and over 45% from three-point range, but turnovers and missed opportunities from close range proved too much to overcome as the Eagles fell to Murray State 85-78 Wednesday night in Johnson Arena.
Morehead State (3-5) placed five players in double figures, led by
Anja Ekstrom, who set a career high with 23 points. The junior from Sweden hit her first eight shots from the field and finished hitting eight of nine from the floor, including five of six from three-point range. She also was 2-2 from the free throw line.
Marie Sepp had a big night with the program's first triple double in a decade with 12 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 13 assists.
Kate Dike and
Laura Toffali finished with 14 points apiece and
Violet McNece added 11.
Murray State (6-2) was led by Morehead native Haven Ford with 21 points. Sharnecce Currie-Jelks finished with 20 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Halli Poock added 15 and Keslyn Secrist chipped in 13.
Morehead State raced out of the gate with a 10-0 run to begin the game. MSU shot 50% from the floor and held the Racers to 26% shooting in the opening quarter and led 16-11 at the break.
Murray State turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter, forcing seven Eagle turnovers, and taking a 14-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Both teams shot well: Morehead State hit 10 of their 14 field goal attempts in the second quarter and all four of their three-point shots. Murray State shot 52% from the floor in the quarter and cut the Eagle lead to 41-39 at the intermission.
In the third quarter, neither team led by more than three points. The Racers outscored the Eagles by five to take a 60-57 lead into the final 10 minutes. Murray State extended their lead to seven early in the final period; Morehead State answered with a seven-point run to draw even with 6:39 to go.
Murray State shot 55% in the final frame and 10-12 (79%) from the free throw line to seal the win. Morehead State shot just 1-5 from three-point range and hit just four of their nine free throw attempts in the final quarter.
The Eagles return to action Sunday when they travel to Lafayette, Louisiana to face the Louisiana Rajin' Cajuns. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET. The game can be heard on the Eagle Sports Network and can be seen on ESPN+.
NOTABLE
- Morehead State committed 19 turnovers (13 in the first half) while Murray State committed 14. The Racers had a 32-15 advantage in points off turnovers.
- Murray State out-rebounded Morehead State 42-34. The Racers grabbed 12 offensive boards to four for the Eagles. Murray State had a 13-4 edge in second chance points.
- The Eagles finished 17-34 in layup opportunities in the game.
- Morehead State shot just 8-15 (53%) from the free throw line. Murray State converted 15 of their 19 free throws (79%).
- Marie Sepp's triple-double was the first for a Morehead State player since Miranda Crocket posted 15 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists at Georgia State on November 21, 2015. It was the first triple-double in the OVC since Belmont's Jenny Royce pulled off the feat at Austin Peay on January 26, 2019.
- The game marked the first time five Eagles scored in double figures since November 18, 2023 when Morehead State knocked off Midway 103-51.
