Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky used a strong second half and a career game from forward Eric Stutz en route to a 78-62 win against Southern Illinois Edwardsville Saturday night in McBrayer Arena.
 
Down 32-33 at halftime, EKU (11-6, 3-1 OVC) used a 10-0 run to start the second half and never looked back.  Stutz scored a career high 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, just one shy of his career high.
 
"I think tonight we threw him the ball more on the block," Eastern Kentucky Head Coach Jeff Neubauer said.  "So he had more scoring opportunities.  We need to continue to grow that part of our game."
 
The highlight of the second half run came when Stutz hit back-to-back three-pointers and threw a beautiful pass to senior guard Corey Walden for a layup that pushed the Colonels' lead to 18.
 
The Colonels led by as much as 20, outscoring the Cougars (7-9, 3-3 OVC) 46-29 in the second half.  EKU was just 1-of-9 in the first half from three-point land, but hit 5-of-9 from deep and 14-of-21 overall in the second half of play.
 
Eastern held the Cougars to just 8-of-24 shooting in the second half and forced 23 turnovers for the game.
 
"We were able to rest guys a little bit more in the first half," Neubauer said.  "The foul trouble we had in the first half actually helped us and made us a little fresher for the second half."
 
Walden added 19 points and had five assists.  He took a hard foul that was upgraded to a flagrant two late in the second half. After a brief period out of the game, the senior was able to return.
 
Senior guard Timmy Knipp had 14 points, half of which came from hitting 7-of-8 free throws.
 
"Timmy is much more than just a shooter," Neubauer said.  "He's a basketball player.  So when he does attack the rim, it gives him more opportunities."
 
SIU Edwardsville was led by senior guard Kris Davis who shot 5-of-9 for 15 points, just above his season average of 14.5.
 
Eastern scored 38 points in the paint and added 18 assists on 26 made baskets.
 
The Colonels will play their next four games on the road beginning with a trip to face Jacksonville State in Alabama on Thursday.  Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
NOTES
Senior Eric Stutz recorded his fifth career double-double and first of the season
 
Eric Stutz moved past Dale Moore (1956-59) and fan-favorite Darnell Dialls (2004-08) into 18th on EKU's all-time rebounds list (559).
 
Eric Stutz's previous career scoring best was 23 points against Cincinnati-Clermont on Nov. 22, 2014.
 
Eastern Kentucky has held eight of its last nine opponents to fewer than 70 points.
 
The Colonels had been held under 70 points in six straight games and nine of their previous 11 contests.
 
Corey Walden began the day as the only player in the OVC ranked in the top-10 in scoring (2nd), field goal percentage (8th), assists (9th) and steals (1st).  He finished with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting (57 percent), five assists and two steals.
 
Eastern Kentucky entered the game second in the nation in turnover margin (+9.4) and fourth in steals (10.4 spg).  The Colonels had nine steals and committed nine fewer turnovers.
 
Corey Walden now needs 39 more steals to break the EKU career record of 221.