Morehead, Ky. -- Morehead State sophomore
Kate Novik scored an old-fashioned three-point-play with two seconds remaining to lift Morehead State to a 62-61 win over Eastern Illinois Saturday in Johnson Arena.
With four seconds remaining, Eastern Illinois (16-11/ 13-5 OVC) turned the ball over on a sideline throw-in, setting up Novik's winning play. Getting the ball at half court, Novik took the ensuing throw in and drove down the right side of the lane for a lay-in to tie the score at 61-61, getting fouled in the process. Her ensuing free throw was the game-winner.
"I'm so happy we got the win today," said Novik. "That last play, I was just trying to get downhill. I'm just grateful to have it go in."
Novik led Morehead State (9-19, 4-14 OVC) with 23 points. She was a perfect five for five from the free throw line. Novik also had a game-high eight assists. Senior
Aileen Marquez came off the bench to score 15 points, hitting her first five three-point attempts of the game. She finished five of seven from distance.
"I'm super proud of the girls," said MSU Interim Head Coach
Chris Palmer. "That was a resilient victory. They never stopped fighting."
The Eagles led 16-14 after the first quarter but were outscored 15-9 in the second frame and trailed at the half 29-25. MSU saw that deficit grow in the third quarter to 10 with 3:36 to go. The Eagles responded with a 13-4 run to close out the quarter and went to final period trailing 49-48.
In the fourth quarter, Eastern Illinois built their lead to as much as seven points with 2:34 to go but would not score again. Morehead State closed the game with an 8-0 run, with Novik's heroics again the climax.
Eastern Illinois was led by Macy McGlone with 15 points. She also pulled down 16 rebounds to record her 45
th double-double in her two seasons with EIU. Sydney-James Desroches and Alex Rouse had 13 points each, and Lalani Ellis finished with 10.
Morehead State will wrap up the regular season next week on the road. They travel to Nashville Thursday to take on Tennessee State, and then wrap up the schedule Saturday at UT Martin.
BY THE NUMBERS
- MSU shot 24-54 (44%) from the field, and 5-9 (55%) from three-point range. EIU went 25-58 (43%) from the field and 4-10 (40%) from distance.
- EIU outrebounded MSU 36-31 and 15-11 in offensive rebounds. MSU had a 13-11 edge in second chance points.
- EIU assisted on 18 of their 25 field goals. MSU had 13 assists on their 24 makes from the floor.
- EIU committed 16 turnovers; MSU had 14 miscues. The Panthers had a 10-9 edge in points off turnovers.
