The Eagles fought to the very end, but ultimately fell in a hard fought matchup with regional rival Marshall, 65-58.
Morehead State was led by junior Lauren Carter, who in her first action of the season posted the second double-double of her career, with a career high 21 points, a career high 12 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Carter's efforts were supplemented by graduate students Tyler Moore, Terri Smith, who had nine points apiece and fellow graduate student Julan McDonald, who had eight points and five rebounds.
The Eagles clamped down defensively on Marshall's three point attack, limiting the Herd to only 2-21 from beyond the arc while hitting seven three-pointers themselves, but the game was largely defined by its back and forth nature, with nine lead changes and each team going on lengthy runs throughout the contest.
Both teams opened the game cold from the field, but five early points from Lauren Carter vaulted the Eagles out to an early 7-4 lead, before an 8-0 Marshall run closed the quarter with the Herd ahead.
The Eagles flipped the script in the 2nd quarter, however, as they shot 50% both from the field and from beyond the arc. Morehead State still trailed 23-17 late in the quarter, before back to back three pointers from Tyler Moore sparked a 10-0 run from the Eagles, giving them a 27-23 lead into halftime.
Carter took over offensively for the Eagles in the third quarter, scoring 10 of Morehead State's 14 points in the frame, but the Herd looked to take control of the game as they took an 11 point lead into the final minutes.
A last gasp effort from the Eagles, featuring an aggressive press and three consecutive triples from Terri Smith, launched an 11-2 run, slicing Marshall's lead to a single in the final 90 seconds, but the Herd's 2nd three pointer of the day and Smith's attempt at an answer rattling out would finally put down the Eagles.
The Eagles look to quickly bounce back as they return to Johnson Arena for their home opener Sunday against Midway (Ky.) at 6:00 PM ET.
