The Eastern Kentucky women's basketball team used a 41-26 rebounding advantage and 38-16 scoring edge in the paint to post a 79-58 victory over Morehead State on Saturday evening (Jan. 11) at MSU’s Johnson Arena.
EKU improved to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while the Eagles slipped to 8-8 overall and 2-1 in the league. MSU halted its four-game winning streak. EKU senior guard Marie Carpenter led all players with 25 points, including a 9-for-10 effort at the free throw line. MSU's Terrice Robinson notched her seventh 20+ effort of the season with a team-high 22 points.
Shelly Harper added 14 for EKU, while Pilar Walker chipped in 10. Junior forward Mackenzie Arledge flirted with a double-double for the Eagles with nine points and seven rebounds. A 20-4 first-half run lifted the visitors to a 15-point lead, and EKU never relinquished it the rest of the night. MSU led 7-6 following Robinson's three-pointer at the 17:23 mark of the opening half, but EKU rattled off 20 of the next 24 tallies.
MSU trimmed the EKU cushion to 30-27 with 3:39 remaining in the half, but the Lady Colonels ended the first 20 minutes on an 8-2 run to lead 39-28.
EKU built its margin to 48-34 with 15:49 left before the Eagles put together a 16-4 scoring spurt. Senior Shanice Parker's jumper at the 10:46 mark pulled her team to within 52-50. But, EKU went on a 15-4 run right after that and pushed its lead back out to double-digits for the rest of the contest.
Morehead State shot 33 percent (18-of-54) for the game and was 16-of-22 at the free throw line. EKU finished with a 56 percent (27-of-48) efficiency.
The Eagles continue OVC action on Monday (Jan. 13) when Austin Peay visits for a 6 p.m.
