CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After clinching a placement in the 2023 ASUN Women's Basketball Championship, EKU (17-12, 10-6 ASUN) gets double-figure scoring from four different players en route to a 33-point win over Queens (8-19, 3-13 ASUN) in the first ever meeting between the two programs on Thursday night inside Curry Arena, 95-62.
 
EKU, now winners of its last four ASUN Conference games, recorded the longest consecutive conference win streak at four with victories over Jacksonville State, North Alabama, Central Arkansas, and Queens since 2012-13.
 
At 10-6 in the ASUN after Saturday's win, EKU reaches double-digits conference win for the first time since 2015-16.
 
Antwainette Walker, a candidate for the 2023 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and the Dawn Staley Award, led EKU with 28 points off 10-of-20 shooting, including 17 points in the second half and two made threes, tying her career high. Walker added six rebounds and two steals in the affair.
 
Saturday's tallies marks 27 consecutive games in double-figure scoring for Walker, including 14 games with 20-or-more points.
 
Walker continues to climb the EKU and ASUN record books, reaching 18th in ASUN single season history for made field goals, and fourth in EKU history in single season made field goals and points.
 
Marissa Mackins (18), Kalissa Lacy (14), and Danielle Rainey followed suit in double-figures. Mackins and Lacy combined for seven made 3-pointers in the barrage of scoring.
 
Sophomore Kayra Freeman tallied a season-high six points on 2-of-3 shooting. Ariel Kirkwood led the Colonels with nine rebounds, six of them coming in the second half.
 
An explosive first five minutes pushed EKU to a 14-3 run as both teams entered the media timeout. The Colonels refused to let their foot off the gas as Walker scored consecutive baskets, going 3-for-3 from the floor for a team-leading nine points to help EKU to a 32-13 score, its most points scored in a first quarter all season. 
 
The Colonels extended their lead to 20 within the first two minutes of the second quarter off a three by Alice Recanati. EKU would go 1-for-8 in the final five minutes of the frame to allow Queens back in the contest 48-34.
 
EKU gained possession to start the second half, Walker scored the first three baskets of the quarter. Two more Walker baskets and a made threes from Marissa Mackins, Kalissa Lacy pushed the Colonels to a 30-point lead at 67-37 at the media timeout. Walker led the Colonels scoring 15 of EKU's 31 points in the third quarter.
 
Mackins helped jumpstart a seven-point swing for EKU in the final 10 minutes, keeping the Royals in a 30-point deficit for the duration of the quarter. Freeman scored a layup with 3:53 left on the ticker to place the Colonels at 90 points, leading 90-58. EKU would hold on to secure the 95-62 win over Queens.
 
EKU shot 44 percent from the floor (34-77) and held Queens to 33 percent shooting. The Colonels hit 10 three-pointers to the home team's four.
 
The Colonels recorded 17 assists in Thursday's contest, 10 more than Queens.
 
EKU once against hits the road to face Liberty, currently in second place in the ASUN standings, on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m. ET inside Liberty Arena. Fans can catch the contest on ESPN3 or 92.5 WEKY.

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