Box Score I PDF Stats

RICHMOND, Ky. – A 17-2 run to end the first half propelled the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team to a 75-56 victory over Ohio Valley Conference foe Southeast Missouri on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.

The victory keeps Eastern (12-7, 6-2 OVC) atop the OVC East Division standings. 

Sophomore Miranda Maples led all players with 20 points. She also grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds to finish with her first-career double-double. Maples hit 8-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Senior Marie Carpenter scored 19 points to move to No. 9 on the EKU all-time scoring list (1,404).

With the game tied 19-19 and 7:18 left in the first half, the Lady Colonels went on the game-changing 17-2 run to close out the half.  Maples got it started with a three-pointer and later hit another from long range for a 27-19 EKU lead. Freshman Nicole Bowers contributed a pair of buckets.  A falling-down jumper by freshman Michaela Hunter at the buzzer finished it off and sent the home squad to the locker room in front 36-21.

Hunter came off the bench to finish with 10 points, six assists, four rebounds, four blocks and a steal.

The Redhawks (7-14, 3-5 OVC) opened the second half with a 12-2 run to close within five, but never got any closer.  Connor King scored seven during the SEMO run.  Her three-pointer with 16:06 left in the game made it 38-33.  Carpenter and senior Pilar Walker each had a basket to put a stop to the visitor's run.

The Lady Colonels had a six-point lead midway through the second half before using a 19-2 run to put the game out of reach.

Carpenter's baseline jumper with 8:22 on the clock put Eastern in front 53-41 and moved the senior to 10th place on EKU's all-time scoring list.  Her three-pointer with 7:24 to go moved her up another spot to ninth.  She now has 1,404 career points and is 22 away from sole possession of eighth place.

Eastern Kentucky had a 23-point lead, 66-43, when SEMO finally stopped the run with 3:54 remaining.

Patricia Mack led Southeast Missouri with 17 points and a game-best 13 rebounds.  Kenyada Brown contributed 14 points and six rebounds.  King finished with 13 points and seven boards.

The Lady Colonels made 47.5 percent of their shots from the field while holding the Redhawks to 32.8 percent.  Eastern knocked down 9-of-18 from behind the arc.  EKU committed two fewer turnovers but out-scored SEMO 22-6 off turnovers.

The Lady Colonels will play host to West Division leading UT Martin on Monday.  Tip-off at McBrayer Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.