Coming off the second-highest scoring total in program history last Wednesday, Morehead State (2-2) hit a roadblock in the form of the North Florida Ospreys (2-1) Friday night at Johnson Arena. The Eagles were unable to overcome 21 turnovers and ultimately fell 61-56.
The Eagles came bursting out of the gate to begin play, starting with a 7-0 run. However, Morehead State would go cold and finish the final 2:12 of the opening quarter without a field goal. North Florida led 21-15 at the end of the first.
MSU struggled again in the second, experiencing a scoreless stretch of 4:35. The Eagles defense held strong though, and Morehead State trailed 30-25 heading into halftime.
Back-to-back three pointers from Eriel McKee and Darianne Seward opened the third quarter, giving the Eagles a one-point lead. A second Seward three at the buzzer would propel the Eagles to a 46-38 advantage to finish the quarter.
The offensive struggles that haunted Morehead State in the first half would return in the fourth quarter. Two separate droughts of over two minutes apiece, including a stretch of no field goals over the final 3:45 of the contest, ultimately handed Morehead State its second loss of the season.
Seward and Miranda Crockett both collected three steals to lead the Eagles, with Brooke Todd and Tierra McGowan turning away three UNF shots apiece. McGowan led Morehead State in rebounding with 10 boards, marking her fourth consecutive game with double-digit rebounds.
Erin Blaine tallied 15 points for the Eagles, leading the offensive attack. Blaine was complemented by McKee, Seward, and Crockett, who scored 12 points each.
The Eagles will travel 65 miles west on I-64 to Lexington, Ky. to face off against head coach Matthew Mitchell's Kentucky Wildcats in the final installment of the Matthew Mitchell Classic on November 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
