Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Raechele Gray’s two free throws with 10.7 seconds left in overtime secured an 80-76 victory for the Eastern Kentucky women’s basketball team in its Ohio Valley Conference opener at Jacksonville State.

The Gamecocks (3-10, 0-1 OVC) led by four with 2:52 left in regulation.  A three-pointer by Carla Booth followed by a lay-up by Gray swung the lead to the Lady Colonels (5-6, 1-0 OVC), 65-64 with 26.6 seconds showing on the clock. 

Two free throws with 12.1 seconds left by Candace Morton gave JSU a one-point lead.  Gray was fouled on a driving lay-up with just 2.7 ticks remaining.  She missed the first free throw attempt but connected on the second to send the game to overtime.

Jacksonville State scored the first four points of overtime before EKU went on an 11-2 run.  A lay-up by Jade Barber with 1:36 to play gave Eastern the lead for good, 73-72.  Four consecutive free throws by Marie Carpenter capped the run and stretched the lead to five, 77-72, with 42.3 seconds left in overtime.  Morton’s jumper with 14.7 seconds to go kept the Gamecocks within striking distance, 78-76.  However, Gray’s two makes at the charity stripe sealed the win.

Gray led Eastern Kentucky with 18 points.  Carpenter and Alex Jones each finished with 15.  Carpenter went 8-for-8 from the free throw line.  Jones grabbed 10 rebounds for her 20th career double-double.

Morrow and Morton both recorded 19 points for Jacksonville State.  Destiny Lane also recorded a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

EKU shot 61 percent in the second half and 48 percent for the game.  JSU made just 1-of-12 from behind the arc, but still shot 44 percent for the game from the field.  The Gamecocks turned 16 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points, out-scoring Eastern by 12 in that category.

Jacksonville State entered the game averaging 25 turnovers per game, but gave it up just 18 times.  Eastern turned it over 23 times.

The Lady Colonels will return to action on Dec. 31 when Tennessee State visits McBrayer Arena for the first of three straight home games.  Tip-off against the Lady Tigers is scheduled for 4 p.m.