RICHMOND, Ky. – Behind 28 points from Antwainette Walker, Eastern Kentucky women's basketball opens ASUN Conference play with an 87-72 win over Kennesaw State on Monday night inside Baptist Health Arena.
 
With the win, EKU has won six straight games inside Alumni Coliseum and moves to 8-6 (.571) on the season. Eastern Kentucky has picked up a win in the first game of ASUN play in each of its two seasons as a member, defeating Central Arkansas 61-46 last year.
 
Walker recorded 28 points on 11-of-23 (.478) shooting from the floor, she added seven rebounds and four steals in the contest. Monday's win marked Walker's eighth game this season with 20-or-more points, including six straight games dating back to December 2, 2022.
 
Danielle Rainey scored 18 points on 40 percent shooting from beyond the arch, the Washington D.C. native has recorded consecutive double-digit scoring efforts, including eight of her last 10 games.
 
Kennesaw State jumped EKU with a 4-0 run to start the game, two three-pointers by Marissa Mackins and Rainey propelled the Colonels to start their own 10-0 run heading to the first quarter media timeout. EKU ended the quarter on a 11-4 run to hold the Owls to eight points in the first frame.
 
EKU hit threes on back-to-back-to-back possessions midway through the second quarter to keep its double-digit lead alive. A jumper by Walker in the final two minutes sent the Colonels to the locker room with a 39-29 advantage.
 
The Colonels opened the third quarter with two baskets by Walker, an Alice Recanati three pushed EKU's lead back to double digits. Rainey beat the buzzer with a three off the bank to close out a 14-6 EKU run and the lead 62-47.
 
EKU's first three possessions resulted in made buckets from beyond the arch from Emma Hacker, Mackins, and Rainey. A five-point swing from Walker pushed the EKU lead to 16 with less than three minutes left in the contest. The Colonels knocked down five free throws in the final minute of the game to begin the second half of the season 1-0.
 
Eastern Kentucky returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET against Stetson inside Baptist Health Arena. Thursday's game with the Hatters is EKU's annual "Pink Game," tickets start at $5. The game can also be found on ESPN+ and be heard on 92.5 WEKY with Wes Chandler on the call.
 
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