MSU Women Turn Back SEMO 71-57 to Extend Win Streak to Six Games

Morehead, Ky-- Morehead State had their leading scorer Kate Dike limited to just 17 minutes because of early foul trouble, but got 23 points from the bench, shot 40% from three-point range and ran their winning streak to six games with a 71-57 victory over Southeast Missouri Thursday night in the Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
 
Morehead State (15-9, 9-3 OVC) was led by the tandem of Violet McNece, who tied her career high with 18 points, and Landon Forbes, who dropped in 18 points off the bench. Forbes also led MSU with eight rebounds. McNece went seven of 10 from the floor, including four of six from three-point range. Forbes shot six of 10 and four of eight from behind the arc. Forbes also set a new career high with five steals.
 
Dike, who played only 4:40 in the first half, finished strong and ended up with 14 markers while playing just 17:37. Laura Toffali chipped in 11 for the Eagles. Toffali also picked up six steals.
 
The Eagles came out of the gates hitting three of their first four shots of the game and used an 11-0 run over 2:54 of game time to push ahead 21-10. The Eagles hit seven of their 12 shots (58%) from the field and four of their seven three-pointers and led 21-12 at the quarter break.
 
Morehead State turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter, forcing five turnovers by the media timeout. However, SEMO found the range in the period hitting four of their first six shots from the floor and finished hitting 7-11 (64%) including draining three of their four three-point shots. Morehead State hit four of 11 from the floor (36%) and made just one of their seven three-point shots. Morehead State took a 33-31 lead into the halftime break.
 
The Eagles came out of the intermission hitting four of their first eight shots including three of five from beyond the arc including two straight by Forbes. The Eagles went on a 6-1 run to take a 45-35 lead at the media timeout. MSU committed just one turnover in the quarter and led 52-43 heading to the final 10 minutes.
 
In the final quarter, the Eagles endured a three-minute scoring drought that saw their 13-point lead whittled to eight. A pair of Dike free throws with 4:16 remaining put the Eagle back ahead in double digits and the Eagles led by as much as 17 after a seven-point run capped by two free throws by Toffali with 1:32 remaining.
 
Southeast Missouri (8-14, 4-9 OVC) was led by Raissa Nsabua with 24 points.  Kearra Jones notched a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.  
 
Morehead State travels to west Tennessee to face off with UT Martin Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. The game can be heard on the Eagle Sports Network (flagship WIVY 96.3 FM) and can been watched on ESPN+.
 
NOTABLE

• Morehead State shot 24-53 (45%) from the floor. The Eagles were 10-25 (40%) from three-point range. SEMO shot 20-49 (41%) from the floor and 5-15 (33%) from three-point range.
• The Eagles forced 21 Redhawk turnovers while committing 18 of their own. Morehead State doubled up SEMO 24-12 in points off turnovers.
• MSU outrebounded SEMO 31-27. Both teams gathered four offensive boards.
• The Eagles were once again solid from the free throw line, hitting 13-17 (77%). SEMO was 12-20 (60%).
• Morehead State assisted on 16 of their 24 field goals. Marie Sepp dished out nine helpers.
• Laura Toffali now has six steals, which is the 10^th-most in any season at Morehead State.