Defensive Effort Leads Women’s Hoops Past Bellarmine 63-59

MOREHEAD, KY —The Morehead State women’s basketball team kept Bellarmine to just 9.1 percent from deep in a 1-for-11 shooting performance on the way to a 63-59 win over the Knights at home Sunday.

The Eagles had two players score in double figures, led by Veronica Charles, who posted her second double-double on the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Sophie Benharouga tacked on 13 points and Sandra Lin added five points, six assists and two steals.

The Morehead State offense was very productive from downtown, knocking down 10 threes on 27 attempts. Isabel Gonzalez was the most prolific shooter for the Eagles, draining two treys in the contest.

The Morehead State defense held Bellarmine shooters to only 34.4 percent from the field, including 9.1 percent from three-point range. The Eagles also kept Jayla Butler to 3-of-13 shooting and eight points in the game.

The Eagles will now prepare for their matchup against USC Upstate next Monday, with tip-off slated for 11:00 AM.

How It Happened

After falling behind 13-7, Morehead State went on a 9-0 run with 1:38 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Aina Subirats, to take a 16-13 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Morehead State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 16 points.

Morehead State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 9:14 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Benharouga, to increase its lead to 22-15. The Eagles proceeded to tack on one point to that lead and enjoyed a 35-27 advantage heading into halftime. Morehead State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 19 points.

Bellarmine then took a 48-47 lead following intermission before Morehead State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Benharouga, to grab a 52-48 lead with zero seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Morehead State played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 17 points in the paint.

Morehead State kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Charles’ three, to grow the lead to 62-54 with 3:51 to go in the contest. The Knights narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Eagles still held on for the 63-59 win. Morehead State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 11 points.

Game Notes
» Morehead State lit it up from three point land, knocking down 10 threes in the game.
» The Eagles held the Knights to only 34.4 percent shooting from the field.
» Morehead State tallied 16 total assists in the game.
» Morehead State had a great day defensively, holding Bellarmine to 9 percent from three point land on 11 attempts.
» The Morehead State bench made an impact by scoring 21 points to its scoring output.
» The Morehead State defense forced 21 turnovers.
» Morehead State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Veronica Charles led all scorers with a game-high 18 points.
» Morehead State got a team-high 12 rebounds from Veronica Charles.

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