Box Score

MIAMI, Fla. – Eastern Kentucky shot 54 percent in the first half, led by as many as 16 and took an 11-point lead into the locker room at the break, however, the Lady Colonels made only three field goals in the first 19 minutes of the second half and lost 59-52 to Florida International on Saturday in Miami.

With the exception of a 2-2 tie for 36 seconds early in the game, the Lady Colonels led the entire first half. Back-to-back three-pointers by Shakeyia Colyer gave Eastern a 12-6 lead with 15 minutes left in the first half. FIU answered with a three by Jerica Coley on the other end, but the Panthers went over five minutes without scoring. A lay-up by Cherie White capped the 11-0 run and put EKU in front 23-9 with 10 minutes remaining in the opening period.

Another Eastern Kentucky run late in the first half, this time seven unanswered, stretched the margin to 16, 32-16. The Lady Colonels took an 11-point lead, 35-24, to the locker room at the break. EKU made 54 percent of its shots in the first half, and 60 percent (6-for-10) from behind the three-point arc. Florida International shot 30 percent from the field and made just 3-of-12 attempts from deep.

Just as quickly as Eastern built its lead, it disappeared in the first five and a half minutes of the second half. FIU opened with a 15-4 run to tie the game, 39-39. Michelle Gonzalez and Rakia Rodgers each knocked down a three-pointer during the run. Rodgers finished off the run with a basket at the 14:33 mark.

Rodgers completed the Panther comeback with a lay-up that gave the home squad its first lead, 45-44, at the 8:20 mark. FIU never trailed again.

EKU shot 14.8 percent from the field in the second half, making just 4-of-27 attempts.

Alex Jones led Eastern with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Coley led FIU with 14 points. Rodgers finished with 13 points and seven boards.

The Lady Colonels continue their swing through south Florida when they play at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on Monday. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.