MONDAY'S SCORES
@Morehead State 53, Wheeling 49
@Lindenwood 99, Harris-Stowe State 54
MOREHEAD STATE 53, WHEELING 49
MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Morehead State women's basketball team busted open a 36-36 tie to end the third quarter and defeated the Wheeling Cardinals 53-49, helped by an impressive defensive showing at home Monday.
The Eagles (4-5) had three players score in double figures, led by Katie Novik, who had 14 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Hallie Rhodes added 13 points and two steals off the bench and Veronica Charles chipped in as well with 10 points and two steals.
Morehead State out-rebounded Wheeling 44-36 in Monday's game, paced by Blessing King's season-high 15 boards. The Eagles also grabbed 22 offensive rebounds and scored 17 second chance points.
Morehead State forced 18 Wheeling turnovers while committing 14 themselves in Monday's game. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor. Novik's two steals led the way for Morehead State.
After falling behind 6-2, Morehead State went on a 13-0 run with 6:33 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Melissa Secchiaroli, to take a 15-6 lead. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 17-10 advantage. Morehead State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 17 points close to the basket.
The Eagles maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 27-24 edge. Morehead State dominated in the paint, scoring six of its 10 points close to the basket.
The Eagles had lost that lead by the end of the third quarter and entered the fourth frame with the score tied 36-36. Morehead State turned 10 offensive rebounds into four second chance points on the way to scoring nine total points in the quarter.
Morehead State then broke the tie in the game's final frame, outscoring Wheeling Jesuit 17-13 and taking control for good on a Rhodes layup with 00:31 left to seize victory by the 53-49 final score. Morehead State took advantage of four Wheeling turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
Lindenwood 99, Harris-Stowe State 54
ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The Lindenwood women's basketball team (2-6, 0-0 OVC) picked up its second win in a row after defeating Harris-Stowe (2-7, 0-0 AMC), 99-54 on Monday afternoon in Hyland Arena.
Lindenwood jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead to begin the game, capped off by a Mary McGrath three-pointer. Harris-Stowe settled into the game and chipped away at the lead throughout the first quarter, which sat at 21-16 in favor of the Lions after one.
The Lions upped their defensive intensity in the second quarter which helped them extended their lead. Lindenwood held Harris-Stowe scoreless for over three minutes in the middle frame, which allowed the advantage to grow to double digits. With less than three minutes to go in the half, McGrath made a layup, which gave the Lions their largest lead at 38-22. They held a 44-29 advantage at the break.
In the third quarter, Lindenwood shot 82 percent from the field and forced 10 Harris-Stowe turnovers. Ellie Brueggemann knocked down three shots from beyond the arc, increasing her point total to 14 for the game. With the hot shooting and strong defense, Lindenwood led 77-42 after 45 minutes.
Lindenwood earned the 99-54 win after a solid fourth quarter. Seven different Lindenwood players finished the contest in double figures, led by Brueggemann's 14. As a team, the Lions drilled a season-high 12 threes.