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Second-Half Push Leads Women's Hoops Over Norfolk State

MSU Athletics

Freshman forward Eriel McKee poured in a team-high 20 points in her collegiate debut, and the Morehead State women's basketball team opened the Greg Todd era with a 83-66 victory at Norfolk State Friday night (Nov. 14). The Eagles outscored the Spartans 48-27 in the final half.

Morehead State defeated NSU in the season opener for the second consecutive season and moved to 3-0 all-time against the Spartans. Todd, who led Transylvania (Ky.) for eight seasons, has won nearly 80 percent of his games as a college and high school coach.

"We came out very focused and ready to play," Todd said. "I thought we had a great start and then Norfolk State responded. I didn't think we played very well in the first half, but I was proud of our effort in the second half. It was much more a team-effort in the second half. This was a good one to get under our belts."

McKee nailed 7-of-12 from the field and hit 5-of-6 free throws. Senior guard Almesha Jones notched 19 points and also added eight assists and four steals. Jones led the Ohio Valley Conference in assists last season. Sophomore forward Shay Steele tied her career-high with 17 points and also blocked four shots. The Eagles out-rebounded the hosts 46-36 and outscored NSU 40-24 in the paint.

"We challenged our post players to get after it on the boards, and I thought tonight, in the second half, we did a great job rebounding," Todd said.

The Eagles out-rebounded the Spartans 27-21 in the second stanza. McKee, Steele and senior forward Casey Ryans led MSU with seven caroms apiece.

NSU led 39-35 at the half and scored the first bucket in the second half, but the Eagles constructed an 18-1 run, capped by a Steele layup at the 12:28 mark, to gain momentum.

The hosts trimmed their deficit to 67-61 with 5:59 remaining, but MSU's defense forced NSU to shoot 2-of-9 down the stretch, and the visitors outscored their foe 16-5.

Morehead State shot 47 percent (30-of-64) on the night and added 14 steals and eight blocked shots. NSU managed just 32 percent (20-of-62) overall and only 25 percent (8-of-32) in the second half.

The Eagles held the lead for more than 30 minutes, only finding themselves down late in the first half and very early in the final period. MSU also forced 24 turnovers and converted those into 30 points.

MSU travels to face George Mason on Sunday (Nov. 16). Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.

"George Mason will be a quality opponent," Todd added. "We won't be able to be as sluggish in the first half up there as we were tonight or we'll probably be trailing by 24 instead of just four. Tonight, we saw some great things, and we just need to stay consistent and build on this success."

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