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Eastern Kentucky WBB Earns Season Series Split

MSU Athletics

The Eastern Kentucky women's basketball team put together a 20-6 second-half run in less than 10 minutes and held on for a 70-64 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Morehead State on Saturday afternoon at McBrayer Arena.

The Colonels, who snapped a five-game skid, improved to 9-14 overall, 4-9 in league play and 3-6 at home. The Eagles, who dropped their third straight, slipped to 11-15 overall, 7-6 in conference action and 5-9 on the road. The teams also split the season series.

MSU led 34-24 at halftime, but EKU posted a 46-30 scoring advantage after intermission. The Colonels connected on just 30 percent (8-of-27) from the field in the opening half, but knocked down 50 percent (13-of-26) afterwards to finish at 40 percent (21-of-53).

Junior Shameekia Murray led Eastern Kentucky with game highs of 22 points and four steals, all of which came in the second half. The guard drilled 7-of-10 from the floor and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. She played just seven minutes in the first half due to foul trouble.

"We were fortunate to be in a pretty good spot at halftime, but (Shameekia) Murray was the difference for Eastern Kentucky in the second half," Head Coach Greg Todd said. "Give the Colonels credit. They stepped up and got the job done when the game was on the line."

The Eagles tallied a 46-35 rebounding advantage, including 16-6 on the offensive end, and a 28-16 upper hand in paint points. EKU had a 10-point edge from the foul line. Morehead State committed 22 turnovers, while Eastern Kentucky gave the ball away 20 times.

"Eastern Kentucky is not a team that shoots many free throws, and we put them on the line 27 times," Todd said. "We had quite a bit of foul trouble ourselves, and that had an impact on the game. We need to play better defense without fouling, especially on the road."

Senior guard Almesha Jones led MSU with 16 points and eight assists. Senior forward Casey Ryans added 11 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman forward Eriel McKee contributed 11 points and freshman forward Brooke Todd registered a season-best 12 caroms.

"I was pleased with our rebounding this afternoon," Todd said. "We had several players who really hit the glass hard. It's disappointing when have an 11-rebound advantage and lose. That speaks to our poor field-goal shooting and too many turnovers."

Morehead State wraps up regular-season play with three games in six days. MSU hosts Tennessee Tech on Monday at 5 p.m. ET, visits Tennessee State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and welcomes Jacksonville State for Senior Day on Saturday at 3 p.m.

"We can't dwell on this one," Todd added. "We have a big week ahead with three games, and there's still a chance to climb a few spots for the OVC Tournament. We've had a better season than people anticipated, and it's really important that we finish on a positive note."