Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University is off to its best start in conference play in 45 years after beating Bellarmine, 82-70, on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.
 
The Colonels are 5-0 in conference games for the first time since 1978-79.
 
Trailing by two with 13:44 left in the game, EKU scored 11 straight to seize control.  Devontae Blanton's free throw started the run.  He followed with a jumper at the 12:21 mark put the home team ahead 57-56 and the Colonels (9-9, 5-0 ASUN) led the rest of the way.  Leland Walker scored the next eight points to finish the game-changing run.  His lay-up with 9:44 to play made it 65-56.
 
Blanton led all players with 24 points, making 9-of-13 from the field.  Walker had 21 points, finishing 9-for-10 at the free throw line.
 
Bellarmine (4-16, 0-5 ASUN) trailed by three at halftime.  Ben Johnson's 3-pointer with 16:47 remaining gave the Knights their first lead of the game, 51-49.  Bash Wieland hit a jumper with 13:44 on the clock to break a 54-54 tie and give the visitors a 2-point edge again.  From that point, Bellarmine didn't score for more than four minutes as EKU rolled off its big run.
 
A running jumper and a 3-pointer from the top of the key by Michael Moreno gave the Colonels a 13-point margin, 71-68.  Blanton's 3-pointer from the top of the key and ensuing lay-up handed EKU its largest lead of the game, 16 points, 76-60, with 4:20 to go.
 
After allowing 43 points in the first half, EKU held Bellarmine to 27 points on 34 percent shooting in the second half.  The Colonels shot 51 percent from the field for the game.  The Knights hit on 42 percent.
 
Isaiah Cozart contributed nine points, 13 rebounds and two blocks for EKU.
 
Wieland finished with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting for Bellarmine.  Johnson added 18 points.
 
EKU's 3-game home stand continues on Thursday against Jacksonville University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.