Box Score (pdf)

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University built a 69-65 lead with 4:49 left in the game, but Western Kentucky used an 18-6 run to pull out an 87-79 victory in Richmond on Monday.
 
Juan Cranford Jr. hit a jumper and Yvens Paul finished at the basket with a dunk to give the Colonels (1-1) a 4-point lead with less than five minutes to go.
 
Amelo Boone's 3-pointer started the run for the Hilltoppers (2-0).  A jumper from Teagan Moore broke a 72-72 tie and WKU led the rest of the way.  Moore's layup with 46 seconds left capped the run and gave the visitors an 8-point advantage, 83-75.
 
The Hilltoppers turned the ball over only three times in the game, outscoring EKU 15-2 in points off turnovers.
 
Austin Ball led the Colonels with 20 points.  Jalen Cooper had a game-best 14 rebounds and eight points.  Montavious Myrick finished with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
 
WKU jumped out to an early 11-6 lead, but EKU stormed back.  Jackson Holt tied it with a 3-pointer and Cooper's three from the top of the key gave the Colonels their first lead, 14-13.  Ball's triple made it 20-15.
 
Six straight points late in the half allowed EKU to take a 32-28 lead.  Myrick scored all six – hitting on a spinning lay-up, putting in a jumper in the paint and then another jumper from the right block.  However, the Hilltoppers scored the final four points of the opening period and led 37-36 at the break.
 
WKU opened up a 5-point lead, 43-38, early in the second half.  Ball's jumper and 3-pointer from the right corner tied it up at 43-43.  Three free throws from Ball with 13:56 to go put the home team in front 53-50.  EKU's largest lead came with 10:13 remaining after MJ Williams hit a 15-footer, Cranford made a floater in the lane and Cooper connected on a layup for a 61-55 edge.
 
Moore had a game-best 22 points for the Hilltoppers.
 
The Colonels will play at Vanderbilt on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.