RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team opened its 2006-07 season with a 63-46 win over NAIA opponent Asbury College Friday night in McBrayer Arena. Eastern moves to 1-0 on the year while the Eagles fall to 2-2.

Three EKU players finished in double figures led by freshman Josh Daniel's 14 points in 19 minutes. The native of Charleston, W.Va., shot 60 percent (6-of-10) from the floor and added two assists. Fellow freshman Adam Leonard chipped in with 11 points while sophomore Mike Rose added 10. Meanwhile, senior Julian Mascoll tallied eight points and a game-best six assists in a team-high 31 minutes of action.

For Asbury, junior forward Brett Johnson led all players with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Eagles' top scoring threat, guard Derek Bland, was held to just three points on 1-of-10 shooting from the floor.

Eastern never trailed in the contest as Leonard quickly gave the home squad a 3-0 lead on his first collegiate shot attempt. A few minutes later, Asbury's Bland nailed a three-pointer to even the score at 8-all, but a Josh Taylor three-pointer and tip-in put the Colonels back on top, 13-8. EKU stretched its lead to as many as 13 in the first half, 34-21, when Daniel connected on a lay-up right before intermission.

The Colonels extended their cushion to 17, 38-21, early in the second half behind baskets from Rose and Mascoll, but Asbury crept back to within nine points with 14:37 remaining. However, Eastern put the game away with 12 straight points to make the score, 58-36, with just over five minutes to play.

Eastern Kentucky attempted 31 three-pointers versus the Eagles, the most under head coach Jeff Neubauer. Six Colonels netted a three-pointer while Leonard notched a game-high three trifectas.

The Colonels are right back in action Monday night, Nov. 13, when EKU entertains former OVC rival East Tennessee State. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.