SATURDAY'S SCORES
Morehead State 85, @Eastern Illinois 77
UT Martin 63, @Jacksonville State 53
@SIUE 89, Eastern Kentucky 74
@Belmont 88, Austin Peay 82
@Tennessee State 69, Murray State 58
Southeast Missouri 60, @Tennessee Tech 57
MOREHEAD STATE 85, EASTERN ILLINOIS 77
CHARLESTON, Ill. - Both Phylicia Johnson and Halle Stull earned new career highs to lead the Panther offense, but Morehead State earned the 85-77 victory capitalizing on a big third quarter effort from the Eagles. EIU shot 51.9 percent from the three-point line making 14 three-pointers, the most the Panthers have recorded all season.
With the loss EIU drops to 1-17 and 0-6 in the OVC while Morehead State improves to 7-12 on the season and 1-4 in the conference.
It was a very quick start for both teams as Morehead State and EIU looked for their first conference win with both teams trading buckets to open the game. A three-point bucket from Johnson broke the tie and put EIU up 11-8 at the 7:30 mark.
The Eagles regained the lead only one more time in the first quarter following a layup from Shay Steele at the 6:12 mark. Johnson once again answered right back with another three-pointer to give the Panthers back the lead up 15-13 with 5:45 left in the period. Johnson finished the game with 19 points and five rebounds.
The Panthers would not relinquish the lead the rest of the quarter ending the first period up 26-23.
EIU's 26 points were the most scored in the first quarter for the Panthers all season. The Panthers shot 83.3 percent from beyond the three-point line as Johnson finished the first quarter with 11 points to her name already and a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range. Halle Stull contributed another eight points in the first quarter finishing the game with a career high 18 points.
The Panthers maintained their lead throughout the second quarter pushing it to as high as seven points following a layup from Grace Lennox at the 5:32 mark to give EIU a 38-31 lead. Lennox finished the game with nine points and 10 assists matching her career high set against Milwaukee. Morehead State closed out the first half on a 7-3 run as EIU held on to a 41-38 lead at halftime.
The third period was a different story as the Eagles opened the second half on a 10-1 run to take a 48-42 lead at the 6:43 mark. EIU answered back with seven straight points capped off by a three-pointer from Kayla Steward to regain the lead 49-48 with 5:16 left in the quarter.
Morehead State closed out the third quarter on a 9-3 run to take a 60-54 lead into the final period. The Eagles shot 43.8 percent in the third quarter outscoring EIU 22-13.
EIU did their best to cut into Morehead State's lead throughout the fourth period getting as close as six points thanks to another three-point bucket from Steward with 8:09 left in the game, but EIU could not get any closer as the Eagles had an answer for every Panther bucket.
Morehead State led by as much as 13 points following a jumper from Brianna McQueen to make the score 72-59 with 5:51 left before going on to finish the game with an 85-77 victory.
McQueen was one of five Eagles to score in double-figures finishing the game with 16 points. Steele led the way for Morehead State with 19 points while Aaliyah Wells recorded a double-double with 13 points and eleven rebounds.
Erica Brown contributed 14 points and eight rebounds for the Panthers while Kayla Steward also netted nine points.
Morehead State won the rebounding battle against EIU 52-39 utilizing their aggressiveness underneath the rim to outscore the Panthers 40-18 in the paint.
UT MARTIN 63, JACKSONVILLE STATE 53
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to extend a three-game winning streak with an Ohio Valley Conference road victory at Jacksonville State 63-53 on Saturday afternoon.
The Skyhawks (10-7, 3-1 OVC) forced Jacksonville State into 22 turnovers while tallying 15 steals to overcome the team’s poor shooting woes. Despite shooting just 37.3 percent from the floor, the Skyhawks scored 28 points in the paint along with 30 points off turnovers.
UT Martin was paced offensively by the play of Chelsea Roberts who scored a career-high 16 points while tallying five rebounds. Haley Howard and DaiJia Ruffin each tallied 13 points while combining for 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Jacksonville State (7-11, 2-4 OVC) dropped its second straight contest after shooting 32.8 percent from the floor despite winning the battle of the boards 47-33. Courtney Strain paced the team with 18 points while Briana Benson notched 14 points. Tyler Phelion flirted with a double-double, tallying 11 points and nine rebounds.
UT Martin would get on the board first with a pair of free throws from Jessy Ward but Jacksonville State would respond by going on a 9-0 run behind five points from Briana Benson. The Skyhawks would battle back by outscoring the Gamecocks 6-3 over the final four minutes to trim the margin to a 12-8 deficit heading into the second quarter.
Both teams would hit their stride in the opening minutes of the second quarter with the squads combining to score 24 points with UT Martin narrowly outscoring its opponent 13-11 during the span. From there the Skyhawks would turn up the defensive intensity, closing the first half on a 10-0 run behind nine points from Roberts and 12 points combined from the duo of Howard and Ruffin. With the strong second quarter, UT Martin would turn a two-point first quarter deficit into a 31-23 halftime advantage.
Jacksonville State would make a push in the opening minutes of the third quarter as they jumped out with a 7-0 run off the shooting touch of Strain to trim UT Martin’s margin to one point at the 7:37 mark. From there the Skyhawks would respond by answering with a 6-1 run of their own before finishing the quarter strong behind five points from Ruffin to take a 46-35 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Gamecocks would trim the margin to as close as seven points in the fourth quarter while placing three players in double figures, including five players from Strain. Despite the late push, the Skyhawks would hold on late to cap off the 63-53 victory.
SIUE 89, EASTERN KENTUCKY 74
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Five players scored in double figures Saturday as SIUE women's basketball rolled over Eastern Kentucky 89-74 at the Vadalabene Center.
SIUE, 5-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play and 10-9 overall, swept the weekend with its best shooting performance of the season. The Cougars shot 33 of 64 from the field (51.6 percent).
Shronda Butts led SIUE with 24 points followed by 17 from Gwen Adams, 16 from CoCo Moore, 10 from Donshel Beck and 10 from Amri Wilder. SIUE's bench outscored EKU's bench 28-17. Beck posted her second double-double of the season by adding a game-high 11 rebounds.
It was the first time SIUE had five players score in double figures in the same game this season.
EKU, now 3-2 in the OVC and 9-7 overall, were led by 30 points and 10 rebounds by Jalen O'Bannon.
The Cougars grew an 18-point lead by halftime with a 17-3 run in the second period. SIUE scored 14 points in the paint during the run"
Eastern Kentucky pulled to within five points with 1:44 to play in the third period on a pair of free throws by Mariah Massengill, but SIUE responded with the next seven points to push the lead by to 12 points.
The two teams stepped up scoring in the fourth period. EKU shot 11 of 16 from the field over the final 10 minutes, but the Cougars shot 7 of 11 from the field and knocked down 10 of 12 shots from the free throw line.
Eastern Kentucky was led by Jalen O'Bannon with a game-high 30 points.
BELMONT 88, AUSTIN PEAY 82
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Belmont University women's basketball (11-7, 3-2 OVC) moved to 8-0 at home this season with an 88-82 victory over Austin Peay (5-13, 3-2 OVC).
Three Bruins scored at least 20 points, led by freshman Darby Maggard (Larwill, Ind.) with 24, redshirt sophomore Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) with 21 and sophomore Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) with 20. McCabe also led the way with seven rebounds while Maggard recorded a double-double adding 10 assists.
For the first three minutes of the game Belmont held Austin Peay scoreless while the Bruins knocked down the first seven points of the game, Smith hit a three to open up play followed by a layup from Maggard and one from junior Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.). Both teams traded baskets but three straight 3s from McCabe, freshman Jenny Roy (Brentwood, Tenn.) and Smith put the Bruins up 18-5. The Bruins and Lady Governors continued to trade baskets to end the first quarter with Belmont leading 24-14.
A slower second quarter had the Bruins to only 13 points. A quick start in the first quarter allowed the Bruins to stay up by five at the half. Five Bruins recorded points in the second quarter, freshman Ellie Harmeyer (Kenosha, Wisc.) (2), McCabe (4), Smith (3), Roy (1) and Maggard closed out the half with one last 3.
Smith, Roy and Maggard accounted for all but two of the Bruins 22 points in the third quarter, with junior Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) knocking down a layup for the other two points. 16 of Austin Peay's 26 third quarter points came from Tiasha Gray.
An early layup from Banks gave Austin Peay their first lead of the game when they went up 62-61. In the first half of the fourth quarter McCabe knocked down 12 points, add in a layup from Joubran as the Bruins took a 72-69 lead. A steal from Smith followed up with a huge three from Maggard gave the Bruins the momentum they needed to close out the game. 20 second later Smith hit another three to give the Bruins a seven point lead. Maggard came in clutch with a second three which put the Bruins up by four with a minute left to play. Maggard proceeded to knock down four free throws to hold the Bruin lead and take home the victory.
Austin Peay's Gray recorded 38 of the teams 82 points in the game.
The Bruins shot 50.0% from three in the game.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 60, TENNESSEE TECH 57
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri women's basketball posted 19 points in the fourth quarter of Saturday's Ohio Valley Conference road game at Tennessee Tech to earn a come-from-behind victory over the Golden Eagles, 60-57.
Down 13 points with 6:12 to play, the Redhawks went on a 17-1 run to finish the game and earn the comeback triumph over the Golden Eagles.
Southeast Missouri (12-7) improves to 5-1 in OVC play to remain tied for first in the league. TTU falls to 5-14, 1-5 OVC.
Erin Bollmann led the way with a season-high 21 points. Bollmann complemented her performance with eight rebounds, four steals, and no turnovers. Bollmann made the game-winning putback with only seven seconds left in the game.
Tennessee Tech lead for the entirety of the first quarter. The Golden Eagles opened the game with an 8-2 lead on the Redhawks. Five made free throws by Southeast helped cut into the early lead.
Down 14-9, jumpers by Bollmann and Adrianna Murphy cut the TTU lead to one, 14-13, with 1:47 to play.
The first quarter concluded with five-straight Golden Eagle points to end with TTU out in front, 19-13.
Imani Johnson hit the Redhawks' first 3-pointer with 6:23 to play in the half to cut the Golden Eagle lead to 24-22.
Ahead 32-26 on the Redhawks, Tennessee Tech rattled off seven-straight points to find its largest lead of the game thus far of 13 points, 39-26.
Bollmann hit a jumper with seconds left in the half to bring the score to 39-28 going into halftime.
Bollmann led the Redhawks with 10 first-half points followed by Johnson with seven.
Southeast shot 33.3% (10-of-30) from the field in the first half while the Golden Eagles shot an efficient 50% (17-of-34).
Southeast narrowly outscored the Golden Eagles, 13-12, in the third period but it didn't make much of a dent in the Golden Eagle lead.
The Redhawks went on an 8-0 run to narrow the deficit to five, 41-36, with 5:40 to play.
TTU answered with six-straight points to bring the lead back to 11, 49-38.
Going to the fourth quarter, Southeast trailed by 10, 51-41.
Tennessee Tech widen its lead back to 13 with 6:12 to play. Johnson's second 3-point basket of the game sparked a 17-1 run by the Redhawks. During the run, the Golden Eagles were held scoreless for nearly four minutes and turned the ball over five times. The Redhawks converted TTU's poor ball handling into eight points off turnovers in the period.
Bollmann hit a jumper with 1:41 to play to bring the Redhawks within one, 57-56.
Mitchell missed a layup but Bollmann picked up an offensive rebound and gave the Redhawks their first lead on a putback with seven seconds remaining, 58-57 Southeast.
TTU called timeout and opted to advance the ball after the putback; however, the Golden Eagles were unable to get a shot off, rather Mitchell earned a steal with two seconds left.
Mitchell was fouled immediately and hit both free throws to widen the lead to 60-57.
TTU was unable to get the ball down court with only two seconds left as the Redhawks earned the comeback victory.
Mitchell earned her 10th double-digit point performance in the last 11 games with 12 points. Johnson picked up 10 points in the contest.
As a team, Southeast shot a near season-low 29% (18-of-62) from the field and only hit two of its 22 3-point attempts. The Redhawks' saving grace was their performance at the free-throw line, shooting 22-of-27 (81.5%).
Tennessee Tech's leading scorer Samaria Howard finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds Saturday. She was the only Golden Eagle to record double-digit points.
TENNESSEE STATE 69, MURRAY STATE 58
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee State women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to four with a 69-58 win over Murray State on Saturday night in the Gentry Center.
For the second time this week, the Lady Tigers had to recover from a weak third quarter to push past the Racers. After leading by 14 at the half, the Lady Tigers fell victim to fouls and turnovers, allowing a 22-14 run by Murray State. A strong defense and late run would prove key in the Lady Tiger’s fourth conference win of the season.
The Lady Tigers (9-9, 4-1 OVC) had three players score in double-digits. Junior Jayda Johnson led the team with a career-high 28 points on the night. Fellow junior I’mani Davis finished with a double-double, scoring 12 and notching a career-high 17 rebound while senior Brianna Lawrence finished the contest with 18 points.
Murray State (6-10, 2-3 OVC) had two players score in double-digits and was led by Jashae Lee, who notched 15 points on the night.
TSU opened the game with 15 unanswered points, keeping the Racers scoreless until a layup at the 4:26 mark put Murray State on the board. The Racers ate away at their 13-point deficit with a 9-4 run in the final minutes of the first, but would continue to trail the Lady Tigers 19-11 going into the second.
A Murray State foul took Davis to the line in the opening minutes of the second, allowing The Lady Tigers to tack on two more and extend their lead, 21-11. The teams went back and forth for the next five minutes, with Murray outscoring TSU 10-9 before the media timeout. With 4:43 left on the clock, the Lady Tigers would use a 9-4 run, highlighted by five points from Johnson, to go into the second half with a 14-point lead (39-25) over the Racers.
Multiple Tennessee State fouls and turnovers in the third would allow the Racers to outscore the Lady Tigers 22-14, cutting their double-digit deficit to six (53-47) heading into the final quarter of the game.
Looking to make a comeback, Murray State continued to close the gap in the score with a 5-4 run to trail by three (57-54) with 6:19 left in the game. TSU’s defense would hold off Murray State for the next four minutes of the quarter while tacking on four before forcing the Racers into their first timeout of the period at the 2:28 mark. Three Racer fouls in the remaining minutes of the game made way for an 8-4 run, pushing the Lady Tigers past the Racers with a 69-58 final score.