Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball cruised to a commanding 79-63 win over SIU Edwardsville on Thursday afternoon.
 
SIUE cut the Colonel lead to six, 50-44, with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter, but the Colonels closed the quarter on a 10-0 run, sparked by a Kendall Wingler four-point play to take a 60-44 lead after three quarters.
 
The Cougars never got closer than 14 points the rest of the way.
 
The two teams traded baskets for much of the first quarter and SIUE took a 12-11 lead following a Mikayla Kinnard three-pointer with 3:50 left in the quarter. The hosts, however, never led again.
 
Eastern went on a 14-4 run, as a pair of free throws by Bria Bass gave the Colonels a double-digit lead, 26-16, with 6:27 remaining in the first half. SIUE cut the lead to three, 30-27, after a three-pointer by Tori Handley with 3:15 left in the half, but Eastern went into the break leading, 37-31.
 
Bass posted a season-high and game-high 16 points and three rebounds. Wingler chipped in 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jayla Johnson had 11 points and four rebounds.
 
The Colonels had 16 assists on 27 made field goals.  Eastern Kentucky shot 27-of-54 from the field (50 percent) and held SIUE to 35 percent shooting.
 
Eastern was out-rebounded 42-36 in the contest.
 
Ajulu Thatha led the way for the Cougars, posting 12 points and pulling down nine rebounds.
 
The Colonels picked up their fifth OVC win on the year, matching their OVC win total from a year ago.
 
EKU continues its road trip on Saturday when the Colonels take on Eastern Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.