FRIDAY'S SCORES
@Marshall 65,
Morehead State 58
Murray State 78, @Chattanooga 55
MARSHALL 65, MOREHEAD STATE 58
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - The Eagles fought to the very end, but ultimately fell in a hard fought matchup with regional rival Marshall, 65-58.
Morehead State was led by junior Lauren Carter, who in her first action of the season posted the second double-double of her career, with a career high 21 points, a career high 12 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Carter's efforts were supplemented by graduate students Tyler Moore, Terri Smith, who had nine points apiece and fellow graduate student Julan McDonald, who had eight points and five rebounds.
The Eagles clamped down defensively on Marshall's three point attack, limiting the Herd to only 2-21 from beyond the arc while hitting seven three-pointers themselves, but the game was largely defined by its back and forth nature, with nine lead changes and each team going on lengthy runs throughout the contest.
Both teams opened the game cold from the field, but five early points from Lauren Carter vaulted the Eagles out to an early 7-4 lead, before an 8-0 Marshall run closed the quarter with the Herd ahead.
The Eagles flipped the script in the 2nd quarter, however, as they shot 50% both from the field and from beyond the arc. Morehead State still trailed 23-17 late in the quarter, before back to back three pointers from Tyler Moore sparked a 10-0 run from the Eagles, giving them a 27-23 lead into halftime.
Carter took over offensively for the Eagles in the third quarter, scoring 10 of Morehead State's 14 points in the frame, but the Herd looked to take control of the game as they took an 11 point lead into the final minutes.
A last gasp effort from the Eagles, featuring an aggressive press and three consecutive triples from Terri Smith, launched an 11-2 run, slicing Marshall's lead to a single in the final 90 seconds, but the Herd's 2nd three pointer of the day and Smith's attempt at an answer rattling out would finally put down the Eagles.
The Eagles look to quickly bounce back as they return to Johnson Arena for their home opener Sunday against Midway (Ky.) at 6:00 PM ET.
MURRAY STATE 78, CHATTANOOGA 55
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Murray State women’s basketball team picked up its third win of the season on Friday in a 78-55 victory over Chattanooga at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Racers limited the Mocs to just nine free throw attempts in the game after Chattanooga had averaged 25 attempts through their first three games of the season
Murray State made 13 of 14 free throws on the night with five Racers going perfect from the line. Four Racers are shooting over 87% from the foul stripe on the season.
Four of the five Murray State starters were double digit scorers with Cayson Connor adding nine points. Macey Turley and Alexis Burpo each scoring 18 to lead Racer scoring.
Macey Turley improved her three-point shooting to .615% on the year going 16-26 through four games.
Thanks to a balanced attack with four Racers in double figures, Murray State would pull ahead to a 15-point halftime lead. The Racers would outscore the Mocs in both the third and fourth quarters to extend the lead and secure the victory.
Macey Turley and Alexis Burpo each scored 18 points for the Racers with Burpo grabbing eight rebounds. Hannah McKay notched a double-double in the contest totaling 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Racers will continue their road stint on Tuesday with a contest against Mississippi Valley State in Itta Benna, Mississippi for an 11 a.m. CT start time.