SUNDAY'S SCORES
@Morehead State 65, Saint Francis (Pa.) 54
@Nebraska 63,
SIUE 49
@Belmont 62, Northern Kentucky 45
@Butler 73,
Eastern Kentucky 41
MOREHEAD STATE 65, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 54
MOREHEAD, Ky. - Freshman guard Ariel Kirkwood scored 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as the Morehead State Women's Basketball team earned a 65-54 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) in the Eagle Invitational Presented by Downtown BP of Morehead on Sunday afternoon at Johnson Arena.
The Eagles, who are now 1-2 overall for the 2019-20 season, controlled the interior with a 48-38 rebounding advantage which included 19 offensive boards. Resulting from its tenacity on the glass, Morehead State outscored the Red Flash in the paint 34-20 while also coming away with a 17-3 edge in second-chance points.
Along with Kirkwood's 12 boards, sophomore Ellie Jo Johnson and redshirt-freshman Mackenzie Schwarber each posted career-bests with 11 rebounds.
In the scoring column, Morehead State had all nine players who saw action produce points – a feat the team has accomplished in back-to-back games. Senior guard Breuna Jackson seconded Kirkwood in points with 16 on a career-high matching six makes from the field.
Kirkwood's double-double is the first for a freshman since Miranda Crockett tallied four for the Eagles during her rookie season in 2015-16. In addition to her 21-and-12 effort, the six-foot Milwaukee native recorded five assists and four steals to help in the win.
Saint Francis falls to 1-3 with the loss. The Red Flash's scoring efforts were paced by forwards Katie Dettwiller and Haley Thomas. Guard Karson Swogger, who led SFU with 29 points in its win Saturday over Stetson, was held five points.
Morehead State returns to action on Tuesday for the final game of the Eagle Invitational against Midway (Ky.). Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET.
NEBRASKA 63, SIUE 49
LINCOLN, Neb. - Despite holding Nebraska to just four points in the second period Sunday, the Cornhuskers used a strong third period offensively to push past SIUE women's basketball 63-49 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
SIUE dropped to 1-3 while Nebraska improved to 4-0 to start the season.
SIUE's defense was stunning in the second period, holding Nebraska to 1-of-13 shooting (7.7 percent) from the field and 2 of 4 (50 percent) from the free throw line.
By halftime, Nebraska held a 23-22 lead.
However, the Cornhuskers surged in the third period behind eight points from Ashtyn Veerbeek on 3-for-3 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers. Nebraska outscored SIUE 21-10 during that 10-minute stretch after shooting 7 of 14 (50 percent) from the field.
Bria Stallworth, who played for Nebraska the last time these two teams met in 2017, led SIUE overall with nine points. Christen King, Allie Troeckler and Zaria Whitlock followed with eight points each.
Buscher said she was proud of Stallworth's performance at Nebraska.
Nicea Eliely led three players in double figures for the Cornhuskers with 13 points. Leigha Brown scored 12 while Ashytyn Veerbeek added 10.
Nebraska shot 24 of 59 from the field (40.7 percent), including seven three-pointers. SIUE hit 20 of 59 field goals (33.9 percent) with a lone trey coming from Mikia Keith. Nebraska also won the battle on the boards 45-32.
SIUE returns to First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest against rival Saint Louis.
BELMONT 62, NORTHERN KENTUCKY 45
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Belmont Bruins trounced the Northern Kentucky Norse 62-45 at the Curb Event Center Sunday afternoon, as the Bruins have logged three-consecutive home victories to start the season.
Senior Ellie Harmeyer fueled the Bruins (3-1) with 20 points and eight rebounds, as senior Maddie Wright added eight points and a career-best 13 rebounds.
Senior Molly Glick led the Norse (0-4) with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, as freshman Ivy Turner was the only other Northern Kentucky player with 10-plus points.
BUTLER 73, EASTERN KENTUCKY 41
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Eastern Kentucky University’s women’s basketball team fell on the road at Butler University on Sunday night, 73-41.
Samari Mowbray led the way for the Colonels posting a team-high 15 points and four rebounds on the game. De’Ayra Davis chipped in 12 points of her own.
Butler (3-0) used a 14-2 run in the first quarter to take a commanding lead and not look back.
Kristen Spolyar posted a game-high 19 points and six rebounds.
EKU shot 41 percent from the field in the second half. The Colonels forced 23 turnovers on the game.
Eastern out-scored Butler in bench points 22-17. Butler shot 45 percent from the field for the game.
The Colonels hit the court again when they welcome Miami (Ohio) to McBrayer Arena on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.