Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky.  – The EKU women's basketball team weathered a late Morehead State University run to pick up a critical, 65-58, Ohio Valley Conference win Saturday at McBrayer Arena.
 
Four Colonels scored in double figures for the second straight game, as senior Shavontae Naylor logged a team-high 21 points to go with nine rebounds. Alexus Cooper (16), Mariah Massengill (15), and Jalen O'Bannon (11) also finished in double figures for the Colonels.
 
Eastern went 11-of-12 from the line in the final period to help solidify the conference win.
 
Leading 47-31 in the third, the Eagles put together a 21-7 run to cut the EKU lead to two with 4:15 left in regulation.
 
O'Bannon followed on the ensuing EKU possession, extending the Colonels' lead back to four with just under four minutes remaining.
 
Massengill pulled down an offensive board following an EKU miss and found Naylor who drew the foul and hit both, as the Colonels netted seven of their final eight free throws to help clinch the win.
 
The Colonels (9-16, 6-6 OVC) jumped out to an early 9-0 lead and never trailed in their victory over Morehead State. The Eagles entered Saturday's contest second in the OVC standing, behind frontrunner Belmont University.
 
Eastern opened the first quarter, connecting on nearly 40 percent from the field while holding the Eagles to a mere 20 percent from the floor, building a 20-8 advantage at the end of one.
 
The Colonels carried the momentum into the second frame, extending their lead to 17 with 1:15 to go in the half with a jumper from redshirt freshman Shay Solomon.
 
MSU (16-9, 8-4 OVC) opened their third period on an 11-2 run to cut into the EKU lead.
 
Eastern held the Eagles to one of its lowest scoring performances of the season, finishing 14 points below their season average and holding MSU under 60 for the fifth time this season.

The Colonels host first-place Belmont University Wednesday at McBrayer Arena. Wednesday's tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.