Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – After falling behind by nine early in the second half, Eastern Kentucky used a strong second half performance to dispatch Morehead State, 78-68, on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.

Alex Jones led Eastern (12-12, 7-6 OVC) with 17 points to go along with six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.  Brittany Coles added 16 points.  Jade Barber contributed her eighth double-double of the season, finishing with 14 points and 11 boards.

Linda Dixon knocked down a three-pointer to start the second half, her third straight for a 9-0 run that gave Morehead State (8-16, 5-7 OVC) its largest lead of the game, 42-33, with 19:37 left to play.  Another trey from Dixon at the 15:50 mark put the margin at eight, 50-42.

However, after that basket the Lady Colonels went on a 20-1 run.  Nine straight capped by a lay-up from Barber put EKU in front 51-50.  After a Morehead State free throw a jumper by Barber with 10:01 remaining gave Eastern the lead for good.  A lay-up by Jasmine Stovall with 6:23 to play polished off the run and put the home squad in front by 11, 62-51.

Through the first 8:22 of the second half, Eastern Kentucky had out-rebounded the Eagles 14-1.  The Lady Colonels shot 52 percent from the field, 67 percent from three-point range and 85 percent from the free throw line in the second half.  EKU committed only seven turnovers and held MSU to 29 points in the second stanza.

After making 7-of-13 from three-point range in the first half, Morehead State was 3-for-10 from deep in the second 20 minutes.

Dixon and Courtney Lumpkin combined for 55 of the Eagles’ 68 points.  Dixon was 8-for-16 from behind the arch and finished with 31 points.  Lumpkin scored 24.

EKU out-rebounded MSU by 20 and out-scored the Eagles in the paint 50-18.

The Lady Colonels have a week off of game action before traveling to face Tennessee Tech next Saturday.  Tip-off in Cookeville, Tenn., is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.


NOTES
EKU improved to 17-0 under head coach Chrissy Roberts when scoring 70 or more points.

Eastern Kentucky has doubled its number of victories from last season (6-21).

Junior Alex Jones needs just 54 points to become the 21st member of EKU’s 1,000-point club.

The victory was just the second for the Lady Colonels in the last 12 meetings with Morehead State.  It was EKU’s first win over the Eagles in Richmond since Feb. 6, 2006.

The Eastern Kentucky/Morehead State series is now tied at 41-41.