SATURDAY'S SCORES
@Morehead State 75, Sacramento State 71
@Nebraska 62,
SIUE 53
@Butler 75,
Austin Peay 54
NEBRASKA 62, SIUE 53
LINCOLN, Neb. - Donshel Beck became the 24th person in school history to score 1,000 points at SIUE, but the Cougars dropped their season opener to Nebraska 62-53 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The Cougars gave Nebraska a mighty scare when Beck's 1,000th career point tied the game 23-23 early in the third quarter. SIUE would go on to lead by as many eight (38-30) before the Cornhuskers made a 13-0 run to end the period.
SIUE pulled to within one point in the fourth quarter 45-44 on a jumper by Lauren White with 7:36 to play, but Nebraska pushed forward with 21 points off the bench from Bria Stallworth, including three three-pointers, and 18 points from Kate Cain.
Beck said SIUE's start to the game set the tone.
Lauren White led the Cougars with 18 points. Nakiah Bell chipped in 15. Beck finished with 14.
SIUE's work on the boards was especially of note considering Nebraska had a clear size advantage regardless of who was in the lineup. The Cougars outrebounded the Huskers 45-44.
SIUE now returns to the Vadalabene Center for its own home opener. The Cougars face Air Force in a 7 p.m. contest Friday.
MOREHEAD STATE 75, SACRAMENTO STATE 71
MOREHEAD, Ky. - Tierra McGowan, Miranda Crockett, and Eriel McKee each tallied double-doubles in a thrilling 75-71 comeback win over Sacramento State on Saturday night at Johnson Arena.
McGowan, playing in her first game as an Eagle, was named Most Valuable Player of the game. She scored 15 points and was a force with which to be reckoned on the glass, hauling in 16 rebounds, including 10 offensively.
McKee and Crockett poured in 19 and 17 points respectively, while McKee added 10 rebounds and Crockett pulled down 12.
Sacramento State exploded out of the gate, connecting on 9-of-16 (.563) field goal attempts in the opening quarter. Morehead State struggled to find its way offensively, but forced eight Hornet turnovers and finished the quarter down 24-15.
MSU found the stroke in the second and third quarters, making over 40 percent of its shots in each period. Sacramento State was still firing on all cylinders, holding on to a 10-point lead entering the final quarter.
McKee made a three-point shot with 2:44 left, pulling the Eagles within one. The 5-foot-10 senior then made the go-ahead layup off an assist from Crockett with 25 seconds remaining, giving the Eagles their first lead of the game.
The MSU defense held the Hornets scoreless over the final 3:12 of the contest.
Former Morehead State head coach and current Kentucky head man Matthew Mitchell was recognized during halftime of the season-opening event named in his honor. Mitchell led the Eagles from 2005-2007 before taking over in Lexington.
Morehead State returns to action on Monday at 6 p.m. ET against Gardner-Webb in the second installment of the Matthew Mitchell Classic.
BUTLER 75, AUSTIN PEAY 54
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Recap coming soon.