Big Second Half Leads Women's Basketball Over Longwood, 68-62
11/29/2009 4:08:43 PM
Box Score (PDF)
FARMVILLE, Va. - Morehead State's women's basketball team shook off a slow start and came out of the locker room Sunday to outscore host Longwood 41-29 as the Eagles defeated the Lancers 68-62 in the Lancer Classic at Willett Hall. The Eagles trailed 33-27 at halftime, but shot 50 percent in the final half and rallied to improve to 4-3.
The Eagles' bench played a huge role in the comeback victory as sophomore guard Abby Steele played a career high 31 minutes, scored a career high 11 points and dished out a career best four assists. Junior Chynna Bozeman led the Eagles with 17 points and also had six rebounds, and senior Tiffany Hamilton scored 12. Connie Buchanan came off the bench to net a career high six points and six rebounds while playing a career high 20 minutes. On the final stat sheet, MSU's bench outscored the Lancer bench 26-6.
"They (our kids) showed a lot of character and a lot of heart. In the first half we weren't any good, but in the second half we decided we were going to get the right people in the game. Connie (Buchanan) and Abby (Steele) gave us great minutes. We played some people long stretches without a break, but overall it was a great second half. We also would not have won this game without Courtney Lumpkin. She played poorly in the first half, but in the second half she was great defensively and got the ball to the right people," said head coach Mike Bradbury.
The Eagles trailed by six at the half as they turned the ball over 12 times, but in the final half MSU only gave it away six times while forcing 10 Longwood mistakes. MSU also made six of its 11 three-pointers in the final half. For the game, MSU was 11-of-29 from long range and picked up 18 offensive rebounds. Ashar Harris led MSU with eight boards.
Longwood got 15 points and 10 rebounds from Megan Smith, 13 points from Krystal Garrison, and 12 by Becky Fernandes. Fernandes also had a game best eight assists. The Lancers shot 41 percent for the game, but the Eagles forced the Lancers into a 2-for-8 effort from three-point land in the final half.
Morehead State opens Ohio Valley Conferenc e play on Thursday, Dec. 3 at UT Martin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.