Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky lost to Eastern Illinois, 78-57, on Saturday at McBrayer Arena. EIU shot 48 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Lady Colonels by 14.

Freshman Marie Carpenter led EKU (6-18, 3-12 OVC) with 18 points. Sophomore Alex Jones recorded her 15th career double-double, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Mariah King led Eastern Illinois (14-11, 9-5 OVC) with 18 points. Sydney Mitchell added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jordyne Crunk contributed 17 points.

Eastern Illinois scored the first nine points of the game and led 12-2 after a three-pointer by Mitchell with 16:45 remaining in the first half. With EKU trailing by seven midway through the first half, Carpenter and Brittany Coles knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to get the Lady Colonels within one, 20-19, with 8:03 showing on the clock.

Eastern Kentucky stayed within three until EIU closed the first half with eight unanswered, including consecutive three-pointers by Ta’Kenya Nixon and Mitchell, in the final two minutes. The Panthers took a 34-25 lead into the locker room at the break.

Eastern Illinois pushed its lead back to double figures three times in the first two minutes of the second half. A pair of free throws at the 18:05 mark by Nixon put the visitors on top 41-31 and the Panthers led by 10 or more the rest of the way.

The Lady Colonels will have a week off from game action before hosting rival Morehead State University next Saturday at McBrayer Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.