Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – A 22-5 first half run, including 15 straight unanswered points, led the Eastern Kentucky women’s basketball team to a 97-61 victory over Kentucky Christian on Tuesday night at McBrayer Arena.

With EKU (2-4) trailing 21-20, Jade Barber’s lay-up put the Lady Colonels on top for good and began the game-changing run.  Raechele Gray and Brittany Coles followed with baskets generated by a pair of steals off Eastern’s full court press.  Gray’s three-pointer from the left wing capped the string of 15 straight and gave the home team a 35-21 lead with 6:30 to before intermission.  Carla Booth’s trey at the 3:51 mark capped off what became a 22-5 run and stretched the lead to 16 points, 42-26.

Eastern Kentucky turned 14 KCU first half turnovers into 24 points while the Knights scored just two points off five turnovers.  EKU’s 10 first half offensive rebounds led to a 13-3 edge in second chance points.

Barber was one rebound shy at the break of her second double-double in three games, heading to the locker room with 12 points and nine boards.

A 23-6 run by the Lady Colonels in the second half stretched the lead to 30-plus for the first time.  A lay-up by Alex Jones polished off the run and made it 75-44 with 9:46 remaining.  Eastern Kentucky took its largest lead of 41 points, 95-54, on a jumper by Jalisa Bryant with 2:03 to go.

Barber led EKU with a career-best 17 points to go along with 11 rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal while only playing 20 minutes.  Coles finished with 15 points.  Three others scored in double figures.

Tanya Bowens led Kentucky Christian with 17 points.

The Knights turned the ball over 25 times compared to nine turnovers for the Lady Colonels.  Eastern finished the game with a 38-2 edge in points off turnovers.  After shooting 52 percent in the first half, KCU was held to 32 percent shooting in the second half.  EKU made 56 percent of its shots in the second half and 48 percent for the game.

The Lady Colonels will go back on the road for their next two games at the University of Evansville Winter Classic.  EKU will face Evansville on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.  On Saturday Eastern will play either Chicago State or Marshall.