Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. – Eastern Kentucky University's men's basketball team turned the ball over 10 times and shot 30% from the field in the first half of a 90-81 loss at Central Arkansas on Saturday.
 
The Colonels rolled off seven straight to get within one of the Bears.  MJ Williams started it with a layup and Jayden Harris followed with a 3-pointer and a layup.  The second bucket from the redshirt freshman came with 4:16 on the clock and made it 25-24 in favor of UCA.
 
The Bears then outscored the visitors 15-3 to close out the half.  Luke Moore's jumper as time expired sent Central Arkansas to the locker room in front 40-27.
 
UCA hit on 43% of its first half shots.  In addition to going 9-for-30 from the field in the first stanza, EKU made just 4-of-17 from behind the arc (24%).
 
The Colonels opened the second half with a 16-7 run to get back in the game.  A putback from Jalen Cooper and a pair of free throws from Williams capped it and drew EKU within four, 47-43, with 16:15 left in the game.
 
The visitors got within four on two more occasions, including 53-49 after a 3-pointer from the top of the key by Harris with 14:56 on the clock.
 
Central Arkansas (12-10, 7-2 ASUN) answered by knocking down a 3-pointer on three straight possessions to push back in front by 13.  Camren Hunter hit the second and third from long range to cap the 9-0 run and make it 62-49 with 13:16 left in the game.
 
The Colonels (7-16, 3-7 ASUN) never got closer than seven the rest of the game.  EKU shot 56% in the second half, including 10-for-20 from 3-point range, but the Bears made 57% of their shots and went 8-for-16 from deep.
 
Williams finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and no turnovers.  It was his second double-double of the season.  Harris had 16 points and six rebounds.  Jackson Holt went 4-for-5 from 3-point range and had 16 points.  Tyler Jackson hit four 3-pointers and had 14 points.
 
Hunter led all players with 32 points on 13-of-19 shooting for Central Arkansas.
 
EKU finished with 15 turnovers while the Bears gave it away just six times.  UCA out-scored its opponent 13-5 in points off turnovers.
 
The Colonels will return home for two games next week starting Thursday against Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. ET.  Thursday will be Colonel Mania night, bringing the energy of the ring to the court while celebrating the wild world of wrestling.  The first 1,000 fans will receive a Colonel Mania EKU Belt t-shirt.