Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – Sophomore forward Nick Mayo scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, had seven assists, three blocks and three steals, but the Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team lost to Ohio Valley Conference leader Belmont University, 72-59, on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.
 
The Colonels battled back from an early 9-0 deficit to take a 2-point lead, a 1-point advantage in the first half, and to tie the game in the second half, but the slow start was ultimately too much to overcome. 
 
Back-to-back baskets by Kevin McClain, including a three-pointer, staked Belmont to an early 9-0 lead.  Eastern turned the ball over 10 times in the first 8:02 of the game.  EKU turned the ball over just three times the rest of the half, but the damage was done. 
 
Nine straight by EKU capped by a Parker Chitty lay-up allowed the home team to go in front by two, 20-18.  The Colonels led again, 24-23, on a tip-in by freshman Marlon Adams.  Eastern shot 48 percent in the first half, but attempted eight fewer shots as a result of the turnovers and trailed by seven at the break. 
 
Trailing by eight early in the second half, Eastern (8-12, 1-4 OVC) ripped off an 11-3 run, that featured a three-pointer by Chitty and four points each from junior Zach Charles and freshman DeAndre Dishman, to tie the game 45-45 with 16:03 left to play.  However, the Bruins scored the next 12 points and EKU never got closer than eight the rest of the way.
 
Dishman contributed 12 points and six rebounds. Mayo's seven assists are a new a career-high.
 
Evan Bradds made 9-of-13 from the field and finished with a game-high 22 points for Belmont (11-4, 5-0 OVC).  McClain came off the bench to score 11 points.  Austin Luke had 15 points, but turned the ball over five times.
 
The Bruins hit on 51 percent of their shots from the field.  The Colonels shot 39 percent, including making only 5-of-24 from long range.  Eastern did connect on 12-of-13 at the free throw line.  EKU finished with 17 turnovers, just two more than Belmont.
 
Eastern Kentucky will play at Murray State on Thursday, starting at 8 p.m. ET.