Box Score (pdf)

NORMAL, Ill. – Eastern Kentucky University overcame an early double-digit deficit and closed an 18-point second half deficit to four, but couldn't complete the comeback bid at No. 18 ranked mid-major Illinois State, falling 89-78 on Wednesday at CEFU Arena.
 
The Redbirds (7-2) scored the first four points of the second half to expand on their 8-point lead at the break, and took their largest lead of the game on a layup from Mason Klabo that made it 62-44 with 15:45 remaining.
 
EKU was down by 14 with 7:13 to play before scoring eight unanswered.  Juan Cranford Jr. started it with a 3-pointer.  Turner Buttry hit two free throws, then converted a steal into a layup and another free throw to close the gap to six, 75-69, with 6:03 to play.
 
Layups from Tyler Jackson and Cranford, the second coming with 1:49 showing on the clock, made it a 4-point game, 80-76.  Johnn Kinziger connected on a 3-pointer at the other end to put a stop to EKU's comeback attempt.  The Redbirds went 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to secure the win.
 
Redshirt freshman Jayden Harris had a career-best 15 points and seven rebounds for the Colonels.  Cranford scored a team-high 17 points, hitting 5-of-8 from 3-point range.
 
Illinois State jumped out to a quick 14-4 lead and went in front by 11, 16-5, on a layup from Landon Moore with 14:31 to go before intermission.  The Colonels were down 10 when they strung together a 12-2 run to tie the contest.
 
Yvens Paul scored four of the first six points in the run.  Austin Ball wrapped it up with a pair of 3-pointers.  His second, from the right wing with 11:09 on the clock, tied the score at 20-20. 
 
However, EKU (1-7) went 5:10 without scoring as ISU rolled off 13 unanswered.  Three-pointers from Ty Pence and Boden Skunberg capped the Redbirds second big run of the game and gave the home team a 33-20 lead with 7:05 left in the opening period.  A jumper from Kinziger had ISU ahead by 14, 39-25. 
 
Cranford hit four 3-pointers in the final four minutes to keep the Colonels within striking distance.  His triple from the right wing with 22 seconds on the clock had EKU within six, 47-41.  The Redbirds scored the final bucket of the half and led 49-41 at the break.
 
Kinziger led all players with 21 points, hitting on 7-of-10 from the field.  Illinois State shot 54% for the game, and 48% (11-for-23) from behind the arc.  EKU connected on 44% of its shots and was 11-of-28 from deep (39%).
 
The Colonels will host Indiana University East on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.  Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.