Box Score
MOREHEAD, Ky. – It was a game that came down to the final shot. Murray State’s Kayla Vance put up a desperation three-point attempt from the top of the key with two seconds remaining, but the shot came up well short and the Eagles came away with the 66-63 victory in Johnson Arena Thursday night.
Courtney Lumpkin and
Chynna Bozeman lead the Eagles with 20 points each.
With the win the Eagles tied the school record for most wins in conference (13) and tied the school record for most wins in a two year span (37). Bozeman also set a record of her own as she sunk her 106th trey of the season to set the OVC single season record.
It was an ugly first half for the Eagles as they trailed 33-40, after turning the ball over 14 times and only shooting 22 percent from beyond the arc (2-9), while letting Murray State shoot 50 percent from the field and 5-12 from downtown.
Morehead State got things rolling in the second half and out scored Murray State 33-23. The comeback was sparked and finished by the brilliant play of Lumkpin who had 13 second half points and many key plays.
Lumpkin’s steal and lay-up capped a Morehead State 15-9 run to start the second half to cut the lead to one 48-49 with 9:58 to go. Murray State answered with a 6-0 run on two consecutive three’s by Kayla Lowe.
With the Eagles trailing 50-55 with 5:12 to go Lumpkin again came up big and drove the right side of the lane and finished with a lay-up making the score 52-55. On the defensive end she then stole the ball and sprinted down the court and made a three-point play to tie the score at 55-55 the old fashioned way after making the lay-up and converting at the charity stripe after she was fouled.
Lumpkin again drove the left side of the lane and made a tough lay-up to take the lead 59-57 which was the Eagles first lead since 13:06 to go in the first half.
In the final minute of the game, the Racers cut the lead to one 62-61, but again Lumpkin extended the lead to three 64-61 on a tough drive and finish. The Racers Vance then came down the court and answered with a baseline jumper that cut the lead back to one 64-63 with 47 tics to go. Lumpkin then finished off Murray State with her final bucket of the game with 26 seconds to go.
Lumpkin scored a career high 20 points and added three assists.
Tiffany Hamilton scored seven points and grabbed a career high 12 rebounds.
Ashar Harris added 11 rebounds and six points.
Murray State was lead by Vance who finished with 19 points. Lowe added 15 points shooting a perfect three of three from downtown.
The Morehead State women will be back in action Saturday Feb. 27 as they host the University of Tennessee Martin Skyhawks. The game tips at 5:15 p.m. in Johnson Arena.
