Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU women's basketball team fell to the Western Carolina Catamounts, 72-61, Tuesday night at McBrayer Arena.
 
Senior Jalen O'Bannon led EKU with 11 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Fellow senior and reigning Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week Shavontae Naylor poured in 10 points while pulling down seven rebounds. 
 
Eastern started off hot, holding WCU to 11 points in the first quarter and leading 23-11 after one. Naylor and senior Mariah Massengill each tallied five points in the opening quarter as the Colonels connected on 10-of-15 (66 percent) from the floor.
 
EKU took a 40-29 lead into the half, but WCU used a 23-8 run in the third quarter to take control of the game. Eastern Kentucky outscored the Catamounts 34-28 in the paint, as nine different Colonels scored Tuesday.

The EKU defense forced 18 WCU turnovers to only 15 of its own, but the Catamounts generated 23 points off the Colonels' miscues. 

The Colonels return to action on Friday as part of the 2016 Plaza Lights Classic hosted by the University of Missouri Kansas City. EKU will take on Morgan State University on Friday and Western Michigan University on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Friday.