Box Score
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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State's Chynna Bozeman scored a team high 18 points, but the visiting Kentucky Wildcat women's basketball team overpowered the host Eagles, 72-55, Tuesday at Johnson Arena. MSU fell to 0-2, while UK remained unblemished at 3-0.
“We really played with a lot of enthusiasm, and I think that is something we can build on with our effort and execution,” head coach Mike Bradbury said. “I am proud of our team. We had a rough couple of days of practice this week, but we really played hard tonight. This game will definitely help our confidence.”
Bozeman had a tough night from the floor (6-of-21) but still managed to reach double figures for the 45th time in her career. UK got an 18-point night from A'dia Mathies, and Victoria Dunlap added 12 points and 16 rebounds. The Eagles held Dunlap 16 points below her season average though. Amber Smith added 15 points, while Amani Franklin totaled eight points and 12 rebounds. The game marked the return of former MSU head coach Matthew Mitchell, who led the Eagles for two seasons before returning to UK for his first head coaching gig.
The Wildcats jumped on top quickly 8-0 less than two minutes into the contest before Ashar Harris stopped the run with a rebound and put-back. Courtney Lumpkin hit a runner in the lane, and Chynna Bozeman drilled a three-pointer to make it 8-7. Another Bozeman trey, and an Ashley Martin drive and lay-in gave MSU its first lead at 12-10 with 13:57 left in the first half. However, that would prove to be one of only two short-lived MSU advantages of the evening.
After the Eagles got to within 20-19, UK scored eight of the next 10 to push ahead 28-21 with just more than five minutes left in the opening half. At the half, the Wildcats grabbed a 10-point lead, 37-27. The Eagles began the game 3-of-4 from three-point range but then missed their next nine treys. UK was 5-of-16 from beyond the arc in the first half.
UK opened the second half on a 14-4 run to pull ahead 51-31 at the 15-minute mark. The Eagles couldn't find the range in the early portion of the final 20 minutes as they began 1-for-9 from the field.
MSU was able to stay within relative striking distance, but never was able to cut the deficit below 10 the rest of the way. UK never led by more than 17 either. A three-pointer by Tiffanie Stephens had the UK lead down to 55-45 with 7:50 left but that’s as close as MSU got.
“We proved that we can come together and keep cutting [the lead] back down, so that brings our confidence level up, we have more trust in each other,” said Bozeman.
Bozeman was MSU's leading scorer, while Martin and Lumpkin reached the double digit column with 10 each. Harris grabbed a team best nine rebounds, and Deja Watson pulled down eight boards. The 'Cats out-rebounded MSU 49-35.
The Eagles shot 34 percent from the field, while the Wildcats managed to hit 41 percent. MSU was 7-of-24 from three-point range.
The Eagles stay at home this weekend for three games in the first MSU Invitational. MSU opens action on Friday at 7 p.m. against Presbyterian College.