Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Eastern Kentucky University took a two-point lead early in the second half, but couldn't hold off first place Liberty in an 83-73 loss on Saturday in Lynchburg, Virginia.
 
Despite the loss, the Colonels (17-10, 10-4 ASUN) have secured a spot in the 2023 ASUN Conference Tournament.  EKU returns home to host Central Arkansas on Thursday at Baptist Health Arena.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
With three blocks in the game, the 2022-23 Colonels broke the program record for blocks in a season.  This year's team now has 124.  The previous mark of 122 was set by the 2004-05 team.
 
Devontae Blanton led EKU with 26 points to go along with a team-best seven assists and six rebounds.  He made 10-of-11 attempts at the free throw line.
 
The Colonels took a 9-8 lead on a 3-pointer from the left wing by Tayshawn Comer.  Down 18-12, EKU scored 12 unanswered.  Comer got it started with a running jumper and a lay-up.  Dardan Kapiti followed with a lay-up and a hook shot.  DaShawn Jackson finished off the run with a steal at mid-court and a lay-up.  EKU led 24-18 with 7:25 to go in the first half.
 
Liberty (21-6, 12-2 ASUN) tied it at 27-27 and then scored the final five points of the first half for a 35-32 lead at the break.
 
The Colonels scored the first five points of the second half, three coming at the free throw line.  Blanton's two makes from the charity stripe put EKU on top 37-35 with 17:33 on the clock. 
 
The Flames answered with nine straight on 3-pointers from Colin Porter and Darius McGhee.  The second from McGhee gave the home team a 44-37 advantage with 15:48 left to play.  Zach Cleveland's lay-up put Liberty ahead 48-39 and stretched the run to 13-2 as the Colonels scored just two points in a span of 5:25.
 
Blanton's old-fashioned 3-point play got EKU within six, 48-42, with 12:08 to go.  However, the Flames scored four straight to take a double digit lead, 52-42, with 10:58 remaining.  A jumper from Brody Peebles with 8:28 showing on the clock gave Liberty its largest lead of 15 points, 61-46.
 
The Colonels didn't quit.  A 9-0 run, fueled by Comer's 3-pointer and an Isaiah Cozart dunk, cut the deficit to six, 61-55.  Blanton's 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:56 showing on the clock had EKU within four, 72-68.  The Colonels got a stop on the other end and had the ball back with a chance to get within two, but Comer missed at the rim and McGhee scored on the other end with 58.9 seconds remaining to push the Liberty lead back to six.  EKU never got any closer.
 
McGhee finished the night with 28 points.  The Flames out-rebounded the Colonels 38-28.