Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky committed 28 turnovers in a 75-54 season-opening loss to Western Kentucky Saturday night at E.A. Diddle Arena. Senior Colette Cole led the Lady Colonels (0-1) with 12 points. Courtney Clifton scored a game-high 22 off the bench for the Lady Toppers (1-0).

Eastern shot 35.7 percent from the field for the game, a marked improvement over the 24 percent shooting percentage in an exhibition game last Sunday. EKU went to the free throw line 25 times and made 20 for 80 percent. Western shot 41.1 percent for the game.

The Lady Toppers scored 12 of the game’s first 14 points and led 15-4 seven minutes into the game. A three-pointer by Lashay Davis and a free throw by Amy McNear pushed WKU in front by 17, 29-12, with 8:05 to go in the first half. Hope Brown’s two free throws with 2:39 left gave Western its largest first half lead of 21 points, 39-18.

Five free throws by Nadia Mossong in the final two minutes and a jumper by Brittany Coles with five seconds on the clock sent Eastern to the locker room down by 16, 43-27.

Mossong had 10 points and six rebounds in 10 minutes of play in the first half, but the junior did not score in the second half.

The Lady Toppers pushed out in front by 21 again in the first four minutes of the second half before the Lady Colonels used an 11-3 to get within 13 points. Freshman Alex Jones knocked down three straight lay-ups to start the run and freshman Ashley Pritchett capped it with a pair of free throws with 12:09 remaining to play.

Eastern wouldn’t get any closer. A three-pointer by Coles brought the visitors within 13 for a second time, 63-50, with 5:50 left in the game. Western Kentucky stretched its lead to 20-plus in the final minute of the game.

Cole added five rebounds and two blocks to her totals. Coles finished with nine points. Senior Sarah Fraser-Jones contributed five points, five rebounds and four assists.

McNear scored 15 points for the Lady Toppers. Arnika Brown had eight points and 13 rebounds.

The Lady Colonels will play at Wright State on Thursday. Tip-off in Dayton, Ohio is scheduled for 7 p.m.