March 18, 2010 —
The visiting College of Charleston Cougars women’s basketball team grabbed the lead in the first minute against the host Morehead State Eagles Wednesday night, and MSU was never able to fully stop the Cougars as C of C defeated MSU 67-59 in the opening round of the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational.
The Eagles, who were playing in their first-ever NCAA postseason game, saw their season end at 22-11, while the Cougars moved on to the second round with a 20-11 record.
The Cougars built a double digit lead by the half and never let up.
Junior Chynna Bozeman led the Eagles with 22 points and 10 rebounds – her second double of the year. She finished her third season in an MSU uniform with 648 points, which is the second best season in school history. She also hit an national-best 121 three-pointers this year which ranks as the third best season in NCAA Division I history.
College of Charleston got a team high 19 points from Ericka Williams. Brooke Kotcella had 13, and Tonia Gerty dished out six assists and had nine points.
“They’re an extremely athletic team, and we had no answer for Gerty,” said head coach Mike Bradbury. “They create open shots and make three-pointers.”
The Cougars hit seven three-pointers.
“They’re also as good a defensive team as we have faced all year. Hopefully we can build on this season as the best team they have ever had here. The future is really bright, and we hope to take the next step next season.”
The Cougars opened the game on a 11-3 run. Brooke Kotcella scored the first four for C of C, while Tonia Gerty added a three-pointer. MSU sophomore Ashley Martin drained the Eagles’ first trey at the 14:01 mark.
The Eagles got back-to-back three-pointers from Bozeman and Tiffany Hamilton to creep back to within three, 15-12, with 12:09 remaining in the opening half.
The Cougars pushed their advantage out to 25-15 at the 7:30 mark after a trio of Deidra Jones free throws.
Bozeman canned another trey and hit a running layup to bring the Eagles to within 26-20, but a trey on the other end by Ericka Williams pushed the Cougars’ lead back out to eight with 2:39 left.
In the first half, the Eagles were held to 30 percent shooting and trailed 33-25.
The Cougars ballooned the lead out to 37-25 with 17:27 left in the game. A Tiffanie Stephens three-pointer brought MSU to within eight, at 39-31, but Jade Hughes connected on a open look at a long ranger, and Tonia Gerty got one to go from distance with 14 minutes left, and the Cougars led 45-31.
College of Charleston continued to hold onto its double-digit lead. With 10:32 left, the game was 50-34 in favor of the visitors.
The Eagles started to rally, and after Abby Steele’s second three-pointer at 8:04, MSU had cut the lead under double digits (54-45). However, Hughes struck again with a three-pointer at 6:32 and the lead was back out to 14.
MSU finally cut the game back under 10, at 64-55, with under a minute. A steal amounted to nothing though as a layup was missed. C of C hit a pair of free throws. Bozeman was fouled and hit two charity tosses to get the Eagles to within 66-57.
MSU forced another turnover, and Ashar Harris got open for a layup as the Eagles continued to try to eat away at the deficit. With 35 ticks left, MSU trailed 66-59 but a late three pointer missed and the Cougars held onto the ball for the final 20 seconds.
MSU finished the game shooting 31 percent (18-of-59). The Eagles were 11-of-32 from three-point range and finished the season with 340 total treys. The Eagles also finished with an NCAA Division I single season record 981 threes attempted.
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Chynna Bozeman puts up two inside the paint during Wednesday's face-off with Charleston. MSU photo
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