RICHMOND, Ky. – Senior Jason McLeish reached the 20-point plateau for the second consecutive game to help lead the Eastern Kentucky men's basketball team to a 57-50 victory over Eastern Illinois Monday night in McBrayer Arena. The win was the first Ohio Valley Conference triumph of the year for the Colonels (3-6, 1-2 OVC) while the Panthers (0-7, 0-3) fall to 0-3 in league action.

Eastern Kentucky trailed by as many as nine points, 38-29, midway through the second half before turning the game around to post its third straight win over EIU. A three-pointer by senior Matt Witt followed by another three-pointer by freshman Harrison Brown a few minutes later cut the Panther lead to only three, 38-35, with eight minutes remaining.

The Colonel defense held Eastern Illinois to one point over a five-minute span allowing a pair of McLeish free throws to put EKU ahead with 5:21 showing on the clock, 40-39. After the Panthers' George Tandy connected on a jumper to briefly put Eastern Illinois back on top, the host Colonels responded with eight straight points to take the lead for good.

Eastern Illinois had a chance to creep to within four points in the final minute of play, but sophomore Darnell Dialls swatted away a Panther lay-up attempt to seal the win. Dialls finished with a game-high 10 rebounds while Witt chipped in 16 points, 12 of which came from behind the arc.

For EIU, Bobby Catchings led three Panthers in double figures with 17 points. Center George Tandy recorded 11 points and nine rebounds.

Eastern Illinois held a slim 25-22 lead at the break thanks to outrebounding the Colonels in the opening 20 minutes of action by 10, 21-11.

Eastern Kentucky is right back in action this Wednesday, Dec. 21, when the Colonels host UT Martin at 7 p.m. The Panthers continue their road swing at Morehead State on Wednesday as well. Tip time is slated for 7:45 p.m.