Box Score (PDF)

NORMAL, Ala. – Junior Shameekia Murray scored a career-high 21 points as the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team held on to defeat host Alabama A&M, 62-56, on Wednesday night at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium.
 
It was EKU's (5-4) first true road win of the season.
 
The Colonels led by as many as 24 points in the first half, but the Lady Bulldogs created havoc with a second-half full-court press and pulled to within a possession – 57-54 – on a layup by Nashaye Sutton with 1:21 remaining in the game.
 
After junior Jasmine Henshaw responded with a bucket in the paint on EKU's ensuing possession, AAMU (0-9) again pulled to within three – 59-56 – on a pair of free throws by Janie Myles with just under 30 seconds to play.
 
Murray got loose for a layup on the Colonels' next trip down the court, though, and EKU's defense held on the opposite end, forcing a missed shot. Sophomore Michaela Hunter got the rebound, was fouled and sank two free throws to seal the victory.
 
Murray came off the bench to post her career night. She went 10-of-15 from the field and also pulled down a career-high six rebounds. Hunter added 13 points and six rebounds.
 
Sophomore Katie Pippen made her first-career start in the game and scored a career-high eight points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the field. Fellow sophomore Nicole Bowers made her first start of the season contributed six points and a team-high eight boards.
 
EKU shot a season-high 56 percent (28-of-50) from the field in the win.
 
Myles paced AAMU with 20 points.
 
The Colonels – who lead the Ohio Valley Conference in field goal percentage defense (36.8) – limited the Lady Bulldogs to 27 percent (17-of-63) shooting from the floor.
 
EKU shot 65.5 percent (19-of-29) from the field in a dominant first-half performance. The Colonels took their largest lead of the game, 39-15, on a layup by Murray with 3:02 remaining in the half.
 
However, AAMU used defensive pressure to slowly claw back into the game in the second half. The Lady Bulldogs forced the Colonels into 24 turnovers in the second half. EKU finished the game with a season-high 34 turnovers.
 
EKU will play its final non-conference game of the season at home versus Richmond on Sunday, Dec. 21. Tip is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.