WEDNESDAY'S SCORES
Lindenwood 68, @Drake 52
Murray State 85,
@Morehead State 78
@Southeast Missouri 116, Harris-Stowe 34
LINDENWOOD 68, DRAKE 52
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Lindenwood women's basketball team (7-2) defeated Drake (1-6) by a score of 68-52 on Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa.
It was a slow shooting start for both teams as the game was scoreless until the 6:47 mark when Ellie Bruegemann knocked down a triple. She followed it up with another three on the following possession to give her six early points and Lindenwood led 8-4 at the first media timeout. Lindenwood extended the lead late in the first frame after a three from Valerie Norwood who had five points in the first. The Lions led 15-7 after one.
Lindenwood began the second quarter on a 13-3 run to increase the advantage to 28-10. The Bulldogs got the deficit down to 12 at the half as the Black and Gold led 33-21 after 20 minutes. Gracy Wernli had seven points during the middle frame.
Drake cut into the lead and got within seven with four minutes to go in the third. A few possessions later, Brooke Coffey drilled a three to put the Lions back up eight, 45-37 with just over two minutes to go in the quarter. The Bulldogs kept chipping away and got within three, but Aleshia Jones got off a last second three-quarter court heave that put the Lions up 50-44 heading to the fourth.
The Lions scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter to take a 59-44 lead. A few minutes later, Coffey blocked a shot at one end that led to a three from Jones on the other, giving the Black and Gold their largest lead of the day at 66-47. Lindenwood went on to win 68-52 to improve to 7-2 on the year.
MURRAY STATE 85, MOREHEAD STATE 78
MOREHEAD, Ky. - Morehead State shot nearly 50% from the floor and over 45% from three-point range, but turnovers and missed opportunities from close range proved too much to overcome as the Eagles fell to Murray State 85-78 Wednesday night in Johnson Arena.
Morehead State (3-5) placed five players in double figures, led by Anja Ekstrom, who set a career high with 23 points. The junior from Sweden hit her first eight shots from the field and finished hitting eight of nine from the floor, including five of six from three-point range. She also was 2-2 from the free throw line. Marie Sepp had a big night with the program's first triple double in a decade with 12 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 13 assists.
Kate Dike and Laura Toffali finished with 14 points apiece and Violet McNece added 11.
Murray State (6-2) was led by Morehead native Haven Ford with 21 points. Sharnecce Currie-Jelks finished with 20 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Halli Poock added 15 and Keslyn Secrist chipped in 13.
Morehead State raced out of the gate with a 10-0 run to begin the game. MSU shot 50% from the floor and held the Racers to 26% shooting in the opening quarter and led 16-11 at the break.
Murray State turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter, forcing seven Eagle turnovers, and taking a 14-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Both teams shot well: Morehead State hit 10 of their 14 field goal attempts in the second quarter and all four of their three-point shots. Murray State shot 52% from the floor in the quarter and cut the Eagle lead to 41-39 at the intermission.
In the third quarter, neither team led by more than three points. The Racers outscored the Eagles by five to take a 60-57 lead into the final 10 minutes. Murray State extended their lead to seven early in the final period; Morehead State answered with a seven-point run to draw even with 6:39 to go.
Murray State shot 55% in the final frame and 10-12 (79%) from the free throw line to seal the win. Morehead State shot just 1-5 from three-point range and hit just four of their nine free throw attempts in the final quarter.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 116, HARRIS-STOWE 34
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri Women's Basketball (3-4, 0-0 OVC) dominated Harris-Stowe (0-4), 116-34, at the Show Me Center, capitalizing on 47 points off turnovers and a 62-14 advantage in points in the paint. This impressive performance set a new SEMO Women's Basketball program record for points in a game, with the team achieving a historic +82 scoring margin, the largest margin of victory in program history.
Southeast Missouri opened with a strong defensive stance, recording six steals early in the quarter. Carmen Taylor sparked the offense with a quick layup and followed with a 3-pointer, contributing to an early lead. The team dominated the paint, adding 20 points and securing a significant rebounding advantage with 19 boards. By the end of the quarter, the Redhawks held a commanding 35–4 lead.
Addison Tarr connected on a 3-pointer at 7:03, pushing the home team's lead further. Ainaya Williams tallied six points in the paint, contributing to a strong inside presence. Lexi McCully facilitated the offense with three assists, aiding in efficient ball movement. At halftime, SEMO led Harris-Stowe 67–24.
The Redhawks opened the third quarter with a 12-point surge off turnovers. Charmen Taylor contributed significantly, with rapid fast-break layups at 2:01 and 1:39. Carmen Taylor secured a three-pointer at 5:36, boosting the team's lead. At the end of the third, Southeast Missouri State held an 89–29 advantage.
The Redhawks opened with a defensive stand, forcing multiple turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. Kearra Jones contributed with a steal and a layup, followed by a 3-pointer from McCully, extending the lead. Carmen Taylor added to the scoring with a three-point shot and an assist, pushing the team's advantage even further. At the final buzzer, Southeast Mo. St. secured a 116–34 victory.