Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Kentucky University’s women’s basketball team stayed close through most of the game before falling, 64-51, to Ohio Valley Conference leader Eastern Illinois University on the road.

Raechele Gray led EKU (11-12, 6-6 OVC) with 13 points.  Sydney Mitchell finished with a game-high 23 points for EIU (20-4, 11-0 OVC).

Eastern Illinois scored the first six points, led 11-4 after hitting four of its first six shots, and never trailed.  EKU got within two, 17-15, on a lay-up by Jade Barber with 6:34 to play in the first half.  The Panthers stretched the lead back to nine before a three-pointer by Gray capped the first half scoring and sent the Lady Colonels to the locker room down by six, 28-22.

Eastern Kentucky scored the first basket of the second half to get within four, 28-24, but never got any closer.  The Lady Colonels cut a 12-point deficit to nine and had possession of the ball with six minutes to go, but after a turnover Eastern Illinois went on a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach.  A jumper and four straight free throws by Ta`Kenya Nixon capped the run and pushed EIU out in front by 18, 60-42.

Eastern Illinois shot 41 percent from the field, out-rebounded EKU by five and committed five fewer turnovers.  Eastern Kentucky shot 32 percent from the field and turned the ball over 20 times.

The Lady Colonels will return to action on Saturday when rival Morehead State visits McBrayer Arena.  Tip-off in Richmond is scheduled for 4 p.m.  Saturday is “Rivalry Day!” sponsored by Pepsi.  Colonel Club members are invited to attend an exclusive hospitality event in the Auxiliary Gym between games and be sure to check out both halftimes where we will honor former Colonels and Lady Colonels as a part of "Alumni Day." 

Students will have the opportunity to win special prize packs at both games and the EKU Greek Community will be out in force for their annual Greek Day. 

Call the EKU Ticket Office at (859) 622-2122 to purchase tickets.