After falling in back-to-back contests for the first time all season, Morehead State women's basketball (15-5, 5-2 Ohio Valley Conference) righted the ship with an 80-54 win over in-state rival Eastern Kentucky (7-12, 4-2 OVC) on Saturday at Johnson Arena.
"We're excited to get the 'W,'" said head coach Greg Todd. "(Eastern Kentucky) is a good team. We have a lot of respect for them."
Eriel McKee led the Eagles with her fifth double-double and third highest scoring output of the season. The 5-foot-10 junior, one of just six players from either team who hails from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, recorded 17 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals on 8-of-14 (.571) shooting from the field.
"It was great to have Eriel McKee play to the level she's capable," Todd said. "It was a fun night for us."
Miranda Crockett complemented McKee with a big night of her own, adding to the sophomore guard's record of six double-digit scoring outings in Morehead State's past seven matchups. Crockett notched 16 points, seven boards, and five steals in a game-high 32 minutes.
The Eagles dominated points in the paint 54-32, while outrebounding the Colonels by a 55-32 margin. 2016-17 Preseason OVC Player of the Year Jalen O'Bannon, EKU's anchor down low, was held to just seven points and four rebounds in 22 foul-plagued minutes.
Morehead State junior Brooke Todd blocked four shots in 24 minutes off the bench, bringing her season total to 61. Through just 20 games, the former Paul Laurence Dunbar (Ky.) standout already claims the fifth highest single-season total in school history.
Brianna McQueen and Aaliyah Wells poured in 12 points each, while Shay Steele added 10 more. Each of the 14 players on the MSU roster received playing time in the blowout victory.
The Eagles are scheduled for a rematch with Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 11 at McBrayer Arena. In the meantime, Morehead State returns to action next Wednesday with Tennessee Tech (7-13, 4-3 OVC), who visits Johnson Arena at 6 p.m. ET.
