Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – EKU took a 2-point lead late in the first half at Pittsburgh, but the Panthers limited the Colonels to 20 second half points and pulled away for a 96-56 victory on Wednesday at the Petersen Events Center.
 
George Kimble III led EKU (5-5) with 16 points, hitting on 4-of-7 from 3-point range.  Jordan Crawford added 13 points.
 
Brandin Cummings scored Pitt's first 12 points and finished with a game-best 30 on 10-of-13 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 from long range.  Jaland Lowe had 11 points and 12 assists.
 
After shooting 47 percent in the first half, EKU was held to 21 percent (8-for-38) in the second stanza, including 1-for-16 from 3-point range.  The Panthers (9-2) made 61 percent of their shots for the game.  The Colonels pulled down 15 offensive rebounds and out-scored Pitt 18-8 on second-chance points.
 
EKU started strong defensively, holding the Panthers without a field goal for more than four minutes to start the game.  A lay-up from Kimble put the Colonels ahead 9-6 early.  Pitt, starting the game 4-for-7 from 3-point range, answered with seven straight and led by six on five occasions.  A 3-pointer from Zack Austin gave the home team a 24-18 advantage with 9:02 left in the first half.
 
EKU whittled away at the deficit, getting within two, 26-24, on Kimble's third 3-pointer of the first half.  Crawford's triple cut it to one, 30-29.  His 3-pointer from the right wing with 1:47 left in the opening period completed the comeback and put the Colonels ahead 34-32.
 
Pitt ended the first half on a 7-2 run to take a 39-36 lead into the locker room at the break.  EKU out-rebounded Pittsburgh 16-14 in the first 20 minutes and had an 11-5 edge in points off turnovers.
 
After Kimble's fourth 3-pointer of the game early in the second half made it a 44-40 game in favor of the Panthers, the home team went on a 29-4 run to build a 29-point cushion.  Pitt ended the run by scoring 23 straight as the Colonels went six minutes without scoring.  Cummings capped the run with a 3-pointer for a 73-46 lead with 7:55 left in the game.
 
EKU will be back at the Seabury Center in Berea on Saturday to face Eastern Illinois University at 8 p.m. ET.  There will be an EKUHoops holiday card giveaway and a sugar cookie decorating station at the drive.  Fans who bring a new toy for donation to Toys For Tots will receive FREE admission.