Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
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Lady Racers push past EKU 79-71
2/9/2006 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Lady Racers (8-14, 7-8 OVC) shot 52.4 percent (33-for-63) from the field and held the Lady Colonels (6-16, 6-9 OVC) to 44.1-percent shooting (26-for-59).
One key defensive play for Murray State came with the Lady Racers leading 69-65 and Eastern Kentucky working the ball with just under four minutes left in the game. The MSU defense prevented the Lady Colonels from getting a shot off in that possession, and EKU turned the ball over on the shot-clock violation.
Murray State took the ball downcourt and junior forward Joi Scott scored on a layup. Scott was fouled on the shot and missed the free-throw attempt, but junior guard/forward Gerraca Matthews got the rebound and passed off to Scott, who put it back in to push the MSU lead to 73-65. Eastern Kentucky did not recover after that.
Murray State held the lead from the 12-minute mark in the first half to the end of the game, getting out to as much as a nine-point lead, 77-68, with 1:15 left in the game.
“It was a great team effort,” said MSU head coach Joi Felton. “I think defensively, we did a pretty good job in the first half (holding EKU to 41.9-percent shooting). I'm really pleased with our poise down the stretch. We kept the lead for pretty much the whole game and didn't let them get over that hump. It was a good job on our part just to keep our focus and stay aggressive.
“(Forcing the shot-clock violation) was huge. We've been working hard defensively, but we've still got a long way to go. Just to come on another team's court that is used to winning championships, I think that speaks volumes for us. Now, we need to take care of this one on Saturday at Morehead State.
“Shaleea Petty was huge for us tonight. She hit a couple of huge shots for us when Eastern had come back to within one or two points, and hit some big shots down the stretch. That's what we need for her. She's a player that we expect a lot from. She's a leader, and I really proud of her.
Murray State was led by Scott's 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting and nine rebounds to go with a game-high three blocked shots. Petty added 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting to go with five assists and three steals -- both game-highs -- and five rebounds
Junior post Erica Gordian added 10 points and six rebounds for the Lady Racers. Freshman forward Ashley Nichole Hayes and junior guard Ashley Brooke Hayes each also swiped three steals. Ashley Brooke Hayes had three steals.
Ashley Brooke Hayes hit one three-pointer in the game, bringing her two within two of the MSU career three-pointers record of 134, held by Misty Pierceall (1994-98).
Eastern Kentucky was paced by Jayme Thiem and Ashley Cazee, who scored 16 points apiece. Laura Shelton added 12 points for the Lady Colonels. Fatai Hala'api'api pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, while Shelton had a co-game-high five assists.
Murray State concludes its “Death Valley” road trip with a game at Morehead State (10-11, 5-9 OVC after falling to Southeast Missouri State 58-43 tonight). That game will tip off Saturday at 4:30 p.m. CT.
