Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Jayla Johnson scored a season-best 22 points, but Eastern Kentucky lost to Murray State, 82-66, on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.
 
A 7-0 run early in the game, capped by a put-back from Anysa Jordan, put EKU in front by five, 11-6.  Late in the first quarter, a three-pointer from the left corner by Kynnedy Azubike gave the Colonels a 6-point advantage, 21-15.
 
However, the Racers answered with a 17-4 run that EKU would never fully recover from.  A three-pointer by Lex Mayes with 4:06 left in the second quarter polished it off and gave the visitors a 32-25 lead.  A three-pointer from Katelyn Young extended the Murray State lead to nine, 38-29, with 1:02 to play in the first half.  Bria Bass knocked down a three-pointer from the left corner for Eastern Kentucky as time expired to make it a 6-point game at the break, 40-34.
 
The Racers (10-9, 7-7 OVC) began the second half by scoring nine of the first 11 points to take a 13-point advantage, 49-36.  Eastern Kentucky never got closer than six the rest of the way.
 
Johnson hit on 9-of-20 from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range.  Alice Recanati had 12 points and four assists.  Bria Bass added 10 points and nine rebounds.
 
Macey Turley led the Racers with 26 points and four assists.  Young added 18 points and seven rebounds.
 
Murray State shot 48 percent from the field and made 86 percent of its free throws (18-of-21).  MSU out-scored Eastern 18-5 at the free throw line and out-scored EKU 25-9 off turnovers.  The Colonels (6-10, 5-7 OVC) made 39 percent of their shots.
 
Eastern will take to the road for a pair of games in Nashville next week beginning Thursday at Belmont.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.