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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team scored 21 straight points midway through the first half to surge past Southeast Missouri Thursday night in McBrayer Arena, 84-64. Senior Mike Rose led five Colonels in double figures with 27 points in the nationally televised game on ESPNU.

EKU (15-10, 8-6 OVC) shot 52 percent (32-of-61) from the field for the game and improved to 9-0 on the season when shooting 50 percent or better. The Colonels also committed only seven fouls, their fewest number of the year.

This was the 16th time this season Rose has reached the 20-point plateau. The senior from Naperville, Ill., also recorded team-highs in rebounds (five), assists (four) and steals (two). Junior Josh Taylor scored 14 points and grabbed four boards, while sophomore Justin Stommes poured in 12 points. Junior Papa Oppong and freshman Jorge Camacho came off the bench to combine for 20 points and nine rebounds.

Jaycen Herring led SEMO with 26 points, shooting 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) from three-point range. Senior Kenard Moore also contributed with 16 points.

After SEMO (3-22, 0-14 OVC) jumped out to a quick 12-3 lead, EKU responded with a 28-2 run, scoring 21 straight points during one stretch. A bucket in the paint by Taylor capped the run and gave the Colonels a 33-16 advantage at the 5:33 mark. A steal by Rose in the final minute of the half resulted in breakaway Stommes dunk that sent Eastern into intermission ahead by 17 points, 41-24.

Rose led all scorers at the break with 12 points.

A Herring three-pointer pulled SEMO to within 13, 58-45, early in the second half. However, a thunderous dunk by Camacho and a Rose three from the corner pushed the Colonels’ lead back to 18 with 9:08 showing on the clock. The Redhawks would not get any closer than 14 points the rest of the way.

The Colonels return to action this Saturday, Feb. 14, when they host Eastern Illinois. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m.