Box Score (PDF) I McHale Postgame Interview I Dishman Postgame Interview

RICHMOND, Ky. – Freshmen Asante Gist and DeAndre Dishman, and sophomore Nick Mayo combined for 47 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists in Eastern Kentucky's 70-51 victory over the University of Virginia's College at Wise on Wednesday at McBrayer Arena.
 
Gist hit 4-of-9 from behind the three-point line on his way to 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals.  In his first career start, Dishman was 4-of-5 from the field and 7-of-9 at the free throw line for a career-best 15 points.  He also had seven rebounds and one assist.  Mayo finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and a career-high six assists.
 
The Cavaliers scored the first two points of the game, but the Colonels scored 12 of the next 14 and never trailed again.  Back-to-back baskets by junior Zach Charles made it 12-4.  UVa-Wise closed the gap to five, 17-12, before Eastern went on a 13-4 run to go up by 14 and led by double digits the rest of the game. 
 
Dishman got the spurt started with three free throws.  Junior Dillon Avare hit a three-pointer from the right wing.  Gist polished off the run with a three-pointer of his own for a 30-16 lead with 1:56 left in the first half.  EKU went into the locker room at the break in front by 13, 34-21.
 
Eastern Kentucky held UVa-Wise to 33 percent shooting in the first half, including 1-for-12 from three-point range.  Gist had 11 points at the break after knocking down three first half three-pointers.
 
The Colonels began the second half by hitting 4-of-5 from the field to fuel an 11-3 run that put the game away.  Gist had a catch-and-shoot three-pointer from the right corner and Dishman threw down a dunk along with capping the run with two free throws.  His pair from the charity stripe stretched the margin to 21, 45-24, with 16:11 left in the game.
 
EKU finished the night hitting on 42 percent of its field goal attempts while limiting the Cavaliers to 34 percent shooting.  UVa-Wise was 3-for-21 (14 percent) from three-point range.  Eastern out-scored the visitors 15-5 off turnovers and 18-8 on second-chance points.
 
The Colonels begin Ohio Valley Conference play on Saturday at Southeast Missouri.  The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET.