RICHMOND, Ky. -- Tennesssee State University withstood several Eastern Kentucky University rallies in the second half and held on for a 75-63 win over the Colonels in TSU's Gentry Center Thursday night.

EKU, who shot a very cool 37.9 percent from the field in the first half, trailed throughout the opening period and fell behind 34-25 at the break.

Eastern saw the lead balloon back to a 13-point deficit at 47-34 with 12:30 to go.

However, the Colonels then went on a 21-10 run to trail just 57-55 on a Zach Ingles' three-pointer with 5:56 to go.

That was as close as the Colonels could come, however, as TSU matched EKU's run with a 14-2 run of its own to put the game out of reach.

"We didn't do very many things right tonight," said EKU head coach Travis Ford. "I thought we played hard. I was proud of our effort.

"We just couldn't get in the flow tonight. When we got close, it seemed like something went against us. We couldn't get any momentum going.

"They prepared well for us. We just didn't play very well tonight."

Junior guard Matt Witt led Eastern with 20 points. The Colonels hit just 40.3 percent for the game from the field and only 6-15 from three-point range for 40.0 percent.

For only the third time in the past 11 games, Eastern was outrebounded, 45-34. Junior center Alonzo Hird led the Colonels with 13 boards.

TSU, now 10-13 overall and 5-4 in the conference, was paced by junior guard Wayne Arnold with 22 points, followed by sophomore guard Bruce Price with 18 points. Senior center Rod Flowers and junior forward Eric King chipped in with 13 points apiece. Flowers had 11 rebounds.

EKU, now 14-7 overall and 6-4 in the league, travels to Birmingham, AL, Thursday (Feb. 10) for an 8:30 p.m. EST contest with Samford University.