Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Eastern Kentucky cut an 18-point first half deficit to six in the second half, but couldn't hold off James Madison in a 97-80 loss on Friday.
 
Isaiah Cozart scored EKU's first four points and his second basket had the visitors down two, 6-4.  Over the next seven and a half minutes, JMU out-scored Eastern Kentucky 27-12.  A lay-up from Julien Wooden put the Dukes ahead by 17, 33-16 with 10:41 to play in the first half.  Two free throws from Alonzo Sule with 6:10 to go in the first stretched the home team's lead to 18, 42-24.
 
The Colonels closed the first half on a 10-6 run and went to the locker room down 14, 48-34.
 
EKU (4-4) started the second half with eight unanswered.  Cozart got it started with a dunk and Devontae Blanton hit two 3-pointers to cap it.  His second from the left wing with 18:38 remaining in the game got the Colonels within six, 48-42.
 
JMU answered the run with four straight.  Eastern Kentucky never got closer than eight the rest of the game.  A 16-3 run allowed the Dukes to open up a 21-point lead with 9:21 left to play.
 
James Madison (7-2) shot 61 percent from the field for the game.  EKU out-rebounded the Dukes by one and committed one fewer turnover.  JMU came into the game averaging 6.8 fewer turnovers than its opponents.  The Colonels shot 44 percent from the field.
 
Blanton led EKU with 17 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals.  Tayshawn Comer finished with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.  John Ukomadu added 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.
 
Noah Freidel and Terrence Edwards each scored 17 points for James Madison.
 
The Colonels will return to action Wednesday when they play at No. 13 Tennessee.  Tip-off in Knoxville is scheduled for 7 p.m.