SC Oklahoma News

A key timeout with eight minutes remaining helped Murray State stymie a 9-0 Eastern run and the Lady Aggies responded with a decisive 9-0 burst of their own on the way to a critical 67-54 conference victory Monday night at Beames Fieldhouse.

Now 10-6 overall, the defending league champion Lady Aggies improved to 3-1 in conference action with another key showdown set for Thursday night at Connors State.

"We've had some leads in the second half that we have lost in the first semester," said head coach Steve Lowe. "I took the timeout to tell them to leave that all in the past and go win this game. Our sophomores showed up tonight and they know what it's like to play in these games.

"Either Eastern or Murray has won the last three conference championships so obviously it's a pretty big game. And I thought our kids really competed. Anytime you can protect home court against a good team is important."

With the game hanging in the balance and Murray State's lead cut to 53-45, it was the duo of Briana Knabe and Mattie Busby that stepped to the forefront. Each scored off steals with Knabe adding another driving bucket and Busby a three-pointer to push the advantage to a commanding 62-45 with six minutes to go.

Murray State led at each break, including 17-11 after one quarter, 33-26 at the half and 53-38 through three periods.

Busby tallied a season high 16 points with Knabe notching 15 and Reese Webb also reaching double figures with 13. Jade Millan finished with nine, Lanie Gooch and Bella Peterson both posted four as Payton James and Remi Langmaid contributed three points each. 

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