Box Score (pdf)

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's men's basketball team saw Mercer break a first half tie with a 22-4 run and couldn't overcome the deficit in a 95-83 loss on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.
 
Juan Cranford Jr. scored a team-high 18 points for the Colonels (1-4).  Jackson Holt and Tyler Jackson contributed 12 points each.
 
Mercer seized control of the game with a big first half run.  After the Colonels tied it at 23-23 on a jumper and free throw from Holt with 10:56 to go in the first period, the Bears answered with their 22-4 run.  Mercer connected on five 3-pointers during the spurt.  A layup from Zaire Williams with 5:04 on the clock capped it and gave the visitors an 18-point lead, 45-27.
 
The Bears led by 15 at the break, 53-38, after shooting 58% from the field and going 9-for-15 (60%) from behind the arc.
 
Mercer took a 20-point lead four times in the first six minutes of the second half before the Colonels attempted to rally.  Eight straight points from Cranford got EKU within 12.  He started it with a 3-pointer from the top of the key, then hit a 16-foot jumper, and finished it off with a three from the right wing.  That basket with 11:53 left in the game made it 69-57.
 
EKU got within 12 three more times, including on another Cranford 3-pointer with 7:52 to go.  His 3-pointer with 5:05 remaining closed the gap to 11, 82-71.  Austin Ball banked in a 3-pointer with 2:52 on the clock to make it a 10-point game, 86-76, but that's as close as the Colonels got.
 
The Bears shot 56% for the game, finishing 13-for-23 (57%) from behind the arc.  EKU shot 41% for the game from the field.
 
Quinton Perkins II hit four 3-pointers and finished with 20 points for the visitors.  Armani Mighty had 13 points and 12 rebounds.
 
EKU will play at Northern Kentucky on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.