Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University never trailed in a 69-59 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.  The Colonels moved to 2-0 in the Atlantic Sun Conference with the win.
 
Richmond native Isaiah Cozart finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds for EKU (6-9, 2-0 ASUN).  Leland Walker added 21 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.  Devontae Blanton scored 12 points and Michael Moreno pulled down 12 rebounds.
 
The Colonels out-rebounded APSU 43-29 and shot 46 percent from the field.  The Governors hit on 39 percent of their shots from the field and went 5-for-18 from behind the 3-point line (29 percent).
 
Four straight by Austin Peay, capped by a jumper from Demarcus Sharp made it a 2-point game, 59-57, with 2:19 remaining.  However, the Governors did not score again until EKU had a 10-point lead with only 28 seconds on the clock.  A lay-up by Dezi Jones snapped the drought, but closed the gap to only eight, 67-59. 
 
Walker got the Colonels' late 8-0 run started with a shot at the 1:50 mark that was goaltended.  He followed with a lay-up with 1:08 to go.  Tayshawn Comer and Walker combined to go 4-for-4 at the free throw line to push the lead to 67-57.  Two more free throws from Walker set the final score.
 
Sharp led Austin Peay (8-9, 1-1 ASUN) with 22 points, hitting 10-of-17 from the field.
 
EKU carried a 6-point lead into the second half, 35-29, but Austin Peay scored the first five points after the break.  Isaac Haney's 3-pointer brought the visitors within one, 35-34, with 19:20 left in the game.  The Colonels righted the ship, holding the Govs scoreless for nearly four minutes while running off nine unanswered.  Cozart finished it off and put EKU ahead 44-34.
 
A dunk from Cozart had the Colonels ahead by eight, 57-49, with 6:16 to go.  An 8-2 Austin Peay run allowed the Governors to draw within two, 59-57, with just over two minutes left to play.
 
EKU will take to the road for its next two conference games, starting Thursday at Central Arkansas.  The game is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET.