Box Score MARTIN, Tenn. – Six players scored in double figures for the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team, but a late rally fell short in a 90-89 loss to UT Martin in Monday night's season opener at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.
 
Trailing by eight with less than three minutes remaining, the Colonels pulled within one and had two opportunities to take the lead in the closing seconds. Brooke Nichelson's layup attempt missed with two seconds left, and EKU retained possession before Liz Freihofer's final 3-point attempt was off the mark.
 
Kirsten Lewis-Williams led Eastern Kentucky with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists in her debut, shooting 5 of 7 from the field and making all seven free throws. Luna Ueda added 16 points and two 3-pointers in her first appearance for the Colonels.
 
Kailani Lindsey finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while shooting 7 of 10 from the floor. Freihofer contributed 12 points, a team-high nine rebounds and two steals, while Kenleigh Woods recorded 11 points and four assists without a turnover.
 
Nichelson rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points off the bench.
Eastern Kentucky shot 47.6% from the field and held a 41-39 rebounding advantage, including 13 offensive boards that helped produce 17 second-chance points. The Colonels went 24 of 41 at the free-throw line and made five of 19 attempts from beyond the arc.
 
Raven Sims paced UT Martin with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Jones added 13 points, Kennedy Horton scored 12, and Olivia Smith and Sidni Middleton each finished with 10. The Skyhawks shot 50.7% from the floor.
 
EKU opened with its strongest offensive quarter, making 10 of 13 shots and three of four 3-point attempts to build a 31-22 lead. The Colonels also converted eight of 10 free throws during the opening period.
 
The advantage grew to 13 in the second quarter before UT Martin closed the gap. EKU took a 45-40 lead into halftime after shooting 50% from the field over the first 20 minutes.
 
The Skyhawks continued their push after the break, outscoring Eastern Kentucky 24-18 in the third quarter to move ahead 64-63 entering the fourth.
 
UT Martin stretched its lead to 87-79 with 2:38 remaining, but Lewis-Williams and Ueda fueled EKU's response. Lewis-Williams scored five points and Ueda added five as the Colonels cut the deficit to 90-89.
 
EKU held the Skyhawks scoreless over the final two minutes and secured a final possession following a defensive rebound by Lewis-Williams with nine seconds remaining but could not convert the winning basket to fall on the road.
 
Eastern Kentucky returns to action Thursday at Morehead State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Fans making to trip can purchase tickets online here.