Box Score
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s basketball team ended a 10-game losing skid to visiting Eastern Illinois Monday night thanks to a 63-62 triumph. The Lady Colonels are now 7-1 in McBrayer Arena this season.
The senior trio of
Jade Barber,
Raechele Gray and
Alex Jones led the way for Eastern Kentucky (8-6, 2-1 OVC). Barber posted a season-high 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Gray recorded a personal best and equaled an OVC season high with 10 assists and no turnovers. Finally, Jones tallied her 28th career double-double behind 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Ta’Kenya Nixon paced Eastern Illinois (8-7, 2-1) with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Mariah King (15 points) and Kelsey Wyss (13) also chipped in with double figures. The loss snapped a three-game road winning streak for the Panthers.
Eastern Illinois jumped out to an early 18-7 lead as the Lady Colonels hit just 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) shots from the floor at the start. However, back-to-back three-pointers from junior
Marie Carpenter put EKU ahead late in the stanza, 28-27.
The second half was full of runs and began with eight straight Eastern Kentucky points to give the Lady Colonels a slight 36-33 advantage. Midway through the half, Eastern Illinois strung together 12 consecutive points to go back in front, 51-44.
The Panthers had a chance to extend their lead to nine points, but a Gray steal and Jones put-back bucket cut the deficit back to five points with 8:54 left to play, 51-46. A few minutes later, Barber netted five straight points to help EKU close the gap to one point, 52-51.
Barber’s final points with 2:02 left gave the Lady Colonels the lead for good, 59-57. A coast-to-coast lay-up from senior
Brittany Coles made the score, 61-57. Gray then made two free throws with 10 seconds showing on the clock to keep EKU ahead by four points, 63-59.
EIU’s Nixon responded with a three-pointer two seconds later to slash the lead back to one point, 63-62. Nixon then had a chance at a game-winning shot, but her desperation half-court shot missed the rim and the rebound was blocked by Barber as time expired.
This marked Eastern Kentucky’s first win over Eastern Illinois since Jan. 13, 2007.
Eastern Kentucky concludes its three-game home stand on Saturday, Jan. 12 with a battle against OVC rival Morehead State. Game time is set for 4 p.m.