Morehead State women’s basketball was solid in just about every facet of the floor game Saturday night, and that enabled the Eagles to begin Ohio Valley Conference play 3-0 for the first time since 1988-89. Junior Chynna Bozeman led the charge with 24 points as MSU handed visiting Austin a 79-56 defeat at Johnson Arena.
The Eagles upped their record to 10-5 and 3-0 in the league, while the Lady Govs fell to 3-11 and 2-1 in the OVC. The victory ended a three-game losing streak by MSU to APSU. Last season, the lady Govs knocked off the Eagles all three times and put them out of the OVC Tournament in Morehead.
The Eagles shot 41 percent for the game, hit 12 three-pointers, out-rebounded APSU 42-40 and forced 19 Lady Gov turnovers. MSU also got a 15-point night from Tiffany Hamilton, while Bozeman – the Preseason OVC Player of the Year – added seven rebounds and four assists. Senior Connie Buchanan pulled down a career high six rebounds. Austin Peay hit only 3-of-16 three-pointers.
“The last six minutes of the first half is where we really took control of the game,” said head coach Mike Bradbury. “That’s what we talked about in the huddle, finishing the first half off the right way.”
Bozeman added, “It all starts with our transition game and that’s all of us. Our post players help the guards and we help them in transition. We were ready tonight, and we really wanted this one bad.”
The Eagles started quick out of the gate with a 7-0 lead before the Lady Govs quieted the run by creeping back to within 8-5 at the first media timeout . Austin Peay continued to make a run and took its first lead on a Whitney Hanley trey at the 14-minute mark, 10-9.
After a back-and-forth affair for about six minutes, the Eagles built another seven point lead (25-18) at the 7:14 mark after a Courtney Lumpkin three-ball. Austin Peay scored next, but then the hosts went on a 15-2 scoring run to end the half leading 40-23.
The Eagles shot 41 percent in the opening half and hit six three-pointers. MSU also forced the lady Govs into a five-minute field drought. Ashley Herring hit a jumper at 6:10, and then AP’s next field goal was at 1:09, but by then MSU had built a 35-21 advantage.
The Eagles were able to maintain a double digit lead throughout the second half, building it up to 22 with 7:39 remaining after Hamilton knocked down a triple from the right side. MSU continued to pour it on via the outside shot, eventually building the lead to above 30.
The lady Govs were led by Nicole’s Jamen’s double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. Herring topped the offensive column with 13 points, while Hanley had 12 points.
The Eagles played host to Tennessee State on Monday (after press time).
Rowan County Sports
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MSU photo
Women's Basketball has its way with Austin Peay, 79-56
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