Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky’s women’s basketball team lost to Jacksonville State, 73-55, on Saturday. The Lady Colonels (6-16, 3-10 OVC) were led by Kayla Drake and Ilona Muszak with 12 points each. Jolie Efezokhae led the Gamecocks (5-18, 2-11 OVC) with 21 points and eight rebounds.

EKU sophomore Nadia Mossong contributed a career-best 12 rebounds and eight points. Cherie White also finished with a career-high 11 rebounds. Candice Carmine came off the bench to score 10 points for JSU.

After Eastern scored first, Jacksonville State went on a 16-2 run. After a bucket by Colette Cole at the 16:30 mark, the Lady Colonels didn’t score again until 9:57 remained in the first half. EKU made only two of its first 13 shots. Back-to-back baskets by Efezokhae, including a three-pointer, put the Gamecocks on top 16-4 with 10:07 left in the first half.

Eastern Kentucky didn’t quit. The Lady Colonels answered with an 11-3 run to climb back into the game. EKU made 5-of-9 attempts from the field during the run. Sarah Fraser-Jones capped it with a three-pointer with 4:45 showing on the clock to make it an 18-16 game in favor of JSU.

EKU suffered through another extended scoring as the first half closed. Laura Becerra’s three-pointer from the top of the key with 42 seconds before the horn was the only basket for Eastern in the final 4:45. The Gamecocks added seven points over that same time span and took a 25-19 lead into the locker room at the break.

The Lady Colonels shot 28.6 (8-of-28) in the first half. Jacksonville State made 30 percent (9-of-30) of its shots.

Eastern Kentucky opened the second half by scoring six of the first eight points and closed to within two. Back-to-back buckets by Cole made it a 27-25 game with 18:49 left in the game.

The Gamecocks slowly edged ahead by double figures. A 14-6 run capped by a three-pointer from Cassi Stuart and a free throw by Carmine made it a 10-point advantage, 41-31, with 14:26 to play. Carmine’s basket at the 12:02 mark stretched the lead to 16, 49-33. The lead reached 18 points on a three-pointer by Brittany Wiley and a free throw from Efezokhae with 7:38 left to play.

Jacksonville State shot 54.2 percent (13-for-24) in the second half and 40.7 percent for the game.

The Lady Colonels will return home for three games beginning with Southeast Missouri State on Thursday. Tip-off at McBrayer Arena is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET.