MONDAY'S SCORES
@USC Upstate 64,
Morehead State 59
@South Dakota State 75,
UT Martin 36
Northern Illinois 67,
@ Lindenwood 56
USC UPSTATE 64, MOREHEAD STATE 59
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Morehead State women's basketball team went into halftime leading USC Upstate 23-22, but could not pull away in the second half and fell 64-59 to the Spartans on the road Monday.
The Eagles had two players score in double figures, led by Sophie Benharouga, who posted a career-high 19 points to go alongside eight rebounds. Veronica Charles tacked on 14 points and Sandra Lin added six points, eight assists and three steals.
Benharouga pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Morehead State, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into eight second chance points.
Morehead State forced 19 South Carolina Upstate turnovers while committing 13 themselves in Monday's game. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Lin's three steals led the way for Morehead State.
The Eagles head to No.4 Indiana Sunday for their final non-conference matchup, with tip-off is slated for 2:00 PM.
Morehead State kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 12-11.
South Carolina Upstate kept adding to that lead, building a 19-17 advantage before Morehead State went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Crystal Corley, to take a 23-19 lead. The Spartans cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 23-22 advantage heading into halftime. Morehead State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 12 points close to the basket.
South Carolina Upstate then took a 24-23 lead following intermission before Morehead State went on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Isabel Gonzalez, to grab a 30-24 lead with 8:21 to go in the third. South Carolina Upstate responded to seize a 48-46 lead entering the fourth quarter. Morehead State played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 23 points in the paint.
Morehead State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 64-59. Morehead State took advantage of six South Carolina Upstate turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 75, UT MARTIN 36
BROOKINGS, S.D. - Hampered by injuries and illness, the University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team matched up against one of the nation's top mid-major programs without two starters and a limited bench before ultimately dropping the road decision to South Dakota State by a final score of 75-36.
The Skyhawks (3-6) struggled to find any rhythm on the offensive side of the ball while the Jackrabbits sank their field goal attempts at a high clip. UT Martin was limited to just 29.8 percent from the field while SDSU found its stride by knocking down 56.5 percent of its attempts in the squad's friendly confines.
Playing without two of the team's starters since the squad's big win over Vanderbilt, UT Martin never found its groove with the augmented lineup. The Skyhawks committed 18 turnovers which led directly to 20 points for the Jackrabbits while making just 14-of-47 field goal attempts. With just 36 total points, the Skyhawks were held to a season low in scoring, field goal percentage and free throw percentage (42.9 percent).
South Dakota State (7-4) lived up to its billing as one of the nation's best teams after entering the game receiving votes in the national polls. The Jackrabbits were highly efficient from the floor by shooting over 50 percent while knocking down 10 three-pointers and commanding both the boards and the paint.
SDSU placed three players in double figures in the victory, led by 14 points from Madysen Vlastuin off the bench. Myah Selland (11 points) and Paiton Burckhard (10 points) also scored in double figures while combining for 11 rebounds.
UT Martin will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 14 when squaring off against 2022 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 participant South Dakota. Tipoff from the Sanford Coyote Sports Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 67, LINDENWOOD 56
ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Lindenwood fell to visiting Northern Illinois, 67-56, on Monday night.
Devin Fuhring led the Lions with 12 points, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor. She made a pair of three-pointers to go with five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Emily Benzschawel added 10 points, including two three-pointers in the game.
Lindenwood will be back in action on Wednesday as it hosts Hannibal-LaGrange.