RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky Colonels improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 1993-94 campaign with a 103-75 victory over visiting Mt. St. Joseph.

Junior Alonzo Hird exploded in the second half, netting all 18 of his points and five of his eight rebounds during the second frame to pace the Colonels in both categories.

"For Alonzo, it's all about energy level," said head coach Travis Ford. "In the first half he just wasn't focused and didn't have much energy. I challenged him during halftime and he came out and responded very well."

Michael Haney and Zach Ingles each added 16 points, while Matt Witt chipped in with 12.

The game was the second straight in which every active EKU player saw action, and tonight each one found his way into the scoring column.

Eastern was once again a force on the glass, snaring 41 boards and outrebounding the Lions by nine.

Eastern started slow and led by only five points with 13:20 to play in the opening frame, but went on a 10-2 run to extend the lead to 22-9 with just over 10 minutes to play in the opening stanza.

EKU would push the lead to 37-17 with 5:55 to play behind a Darnell Dialls tip-in and would lead by as many as 22 before a 9-3 Mt. St. Joseph run closed the gap to 46-30 at intermission.

Ingles started the scoring in the second half with a three-pointer to push the lead to 19, but the Lions would again battle back to cut the gap to 15 points behind a Kevin Darthard three pointer with 15:43 to play.

It would prove to be as close as the Lions would draw for the remainder of the game. Eastern reeled off a 13-2 run highlighted by seven points from Hird, which put the Colonels up 69-43 with 12:30 left in the contest.

The Colonels led by as many as 31 points in the second half, before settling in for the 28-point win.

"I have to give credit to Mt. St. Joseph. They really challenged us and they played extremely hard the entire game. They're a well-coached team and I look for them to have a great season."

The Colonels return to the court next Thursday at 7:30 to take on Savannah State to round out the current three-game home stand.

GAME NOTES: Michael Brock had been the first Colonel off the bench in the first two EKU contests, but tonight Ryan Wiersma was the first Colonel sent into the game … Every Colonel in the lineup tonight scored at least two points, and all but one had at least one rebound … The Colonels are currently getting an assist on a made field goal 61.6 percent of the time … The game marks the first time that Michael Haney hasn't led the Colonels in scoring and rebounding this season … Haney has now made 13 straight field goals … After tonight's contest, the Colonels are holding the opposition to only 34.7 percent from the field.