Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Devontae Blanton and Leland Walker combined for 42 points in Eastern Kentucky University's 73-63 win over Bellarmine on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.
 
With EKU in front by two, Walker hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with 2:43 left for a five-point cushion, 64-59.  After a miss by the Knights on the other end, Michael Moreno converted a lay-up with 1:51 on the clock for a seven-point advantage.  Blanton made two free throws with 1:08 to go for a nine-point lead, 68-59.
 
After Garrett Tipton hit a 3-pointer to get Bellarmine within two, the Knights went 2:25 without scoring.  A jumper from Juston Bets with just 40 seconds remaining snapped the drought, but EKU still had a seven-point lead, 68-61.
 
The Colonels converted five free throws in the final minute to secure victory.
 
Blanton finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds.  He was 9-for-14 from the field.  Walker scored 20 points, making 7-of-15 from the field, including 3-for-6 from deep.
 
Tipton led Bellarmine with 17 points.
 
The two teams combined to shoot 70 percent from inside the arch and 24 percent from behind it during the first half.  EKU scored the final five points to turn a three-point deficit into a two-point lead, 37-35, at the break.  The Colonels hit on 53 percent of their first half shots, but were 3-for-12 from deep.  Bellarmine shot 58 percent in the first half, going 1-for-5 from deep.
 
Isaiah Cozart scored the first four points of the second half to give EKU a 41-35 edge.  Eight straight by the Knights, capped by a lay-up from Ben Johnson, made it a 52-49 game in favor of the visitors.  Comer's 3-pointer with 9:01 left in the game tied the score at 52-52 and started an 8-0 Colonel run.  Blanton's lay-up finished it off and gave the home squad a 57-52 advantage.
 
EKU shot 50 percent from the field for the game.  Bellarmine made 45 percent of its shots.  Both teams finished 7-for-22 (32 percent) from 3-point range.  The Colonels had a 37-28 rebounding edge.
 
The Colonels continue their three-game home stand on Thursday when Jacksonville State visits Baptist Health Arena.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.