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Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Eastern Kentucky led North Carolina A&T by 17 in the first half, but a poor second half doomed the Colonels in a 78-67 loss on Wednesday.

EKU (9-2) shot 50 percent from the field, knocked down eight three-pointers and benefited from 14 Aggie turnovers in the first half.  A free throw by Glenn Cosey with 3:48 remaining in the opening period capped a 24-4 run and staked the Colonels to their largest lead, 37-20.

However, North Carolina A&T (5-7) didn’t fold.  The Aggies scored the final nine points of the first half and the first three points of the second half to get right back in the game.  Three free throws by Jean Louisme cut the visitor’s lead to five, 37-32. 

Eastern seemed to have stymied the rally after pushing back out in front by 10 on a lay-up and free throw by Marcus Lewis.  However, the Colonels went almost eight minutes without scoring again and had only one basket over a 12 minute span.  The Aggies rolled off a 25-2 run and led 59-46 with 5:13 on the clock.

EKU wouldn’t get closer than nine the rest of the way.

After turning it over 14 times in the first half, North Carolina A&T gave it away only four times in the second.  The Colonels shot just 30 percent (8-for-27) in the second period and tied their season high with 19 turnovers in the game.  After sinking 8-of-15 from long distance to start the game, EKU made just 3-of-11 in the final 20 minutes.

Mike DiNunno scored a game-high 22 points.  All five of his field goals were from behind the arc and the senior made 7-of-8 from the free throw line.  Lewis finished with 14 off the bench to go along with four steals.  Cosey had 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Louisme led the Aggies with 18 points.  Lamont Middleton finished with 12 points and eight assists.  North Carolina A&T went to the free throw line 12 more times and out-rebounded Eastern by 12.

The Colonels will conclude their two-game trip to North Carolina against High Point on Friday at 7 p.m.