Eagle Women Upend UT Martin 67-49

Morehead, Ky. -- Morehead State blistered the nets to end the first quarter, led the final 36 minutes of play, and knocked off UT Martin 67-49 Thursday night in Ellis T. Johnson Arena.
 
Morehead State (8-8, 3-2 OVC) got down four to start the game but used a 14-2 run to take a 16-8 lead at the media timeout. The Eagles shot 9-14 (64%) from the floor, including five of their eight three point shots. UT Martin hit six of their 10 field goal attempts in the opening quarter, but were hampered by six turnovers, leading to 13 MSU points, and the Eagles took a 25-12 into the quarter break.
 
The Eagles had four players finish in double figures, led by Landon Forbes, who posted her first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Kate Dike posted her second straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. It was her fifth double-double of the season and the sixth of her career.
 
Josefine Enander tossed in 14 points, hitting four three-pointers. Marie Sepp added 12 points, her fifth double-figure scoring game in the last six.
 
UT Martin (7-7, 3-2 OVC) was led by Zy Thompson with 16 points. Kenley McCarn finished with 13.
 
After the torrid finish at the end of the first period, the Eagles cooled off in the second quarter, hitting just five of 17 (29%) from the floor. Morehead State stretched their lead to 22 on a Violet McNece free throw at the 6:22 mark. The Skyhawks finished the period with a 13-2 run as Morehead State hit just one of their last field goals attempts. MSU led at the intermission 40-29.
 
Both teams struggled shooting in the third quarter. Morehead State managed just two of 14 from the floor in the period, while UT Marting went four for 11. The Skyhawks outscored the Eagles 12-9 in the quarter, cutting the MSU lead to five on a pair of Thompson free throws with just under six minutes to go in the period.  MSU led 49-41 heading to the final period.
 
The Eagles turned up the defense in the final quarter holding UTM to just two of 12 shooting from the floor, and outscored UTM 18-8 in the quarter. The Skyhawks were unable to get any closer than six. The Eagles shot five of 13 from the floor and hit all six of their free throws in the quarter.
 
Morehead State returns to action Saturday when they host Southeast Missouri in Johnson Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. The game can be heard on the Eagle Sports Network (flagship WIVY 96-3 FM). It can also be seen on ESPN+.
 
NOTABLE

• Morehead State committed a season-low 12 turnovers and forced 19 Skyhawk turnovers. MSU had a 22-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Morehead State out-rebounded UT Martin 37-30. It was the fourth straight game the Eagles won the battle on the boards.
• MSU gathered 11 offensive rebounds to five for UTM. The Eagles edged the Skyhawks 7-0 in second chance points.
• MSU went 21-58 (36%) from the floor; UTM shot 19-48 (40%) from the field.
• Morehead State shot 12-33 (36%) from three-point range. UT Martin made four of 15 (27%) from beyond the arc.
• The Eagles hit 13-14 (93%) from the free throw line. UTM was 7-12 (58%)