Box Score (pdf)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University made 12 three-pointers in the first half on its way to a 95-92 victory over Bellarmine on Saturday at Knights Hall in Louisville.
 
Both teams scorched the nets in the first 20 minutes of play.  EKU shot 61% from the field and went 12-for-20 (60%) from behind the arc.  The Knights shot 68% from the field, but only five of their 17 field goals were from 3-point range.
 
The Colonels out-scored Bellarmine by 21 points from behind the 3-point line in the first half.
 
EKU made seven shots from deep during a 26-8 run that turned a 2-point deficit into a 16-point lead.  Turner Buttry started it with a 3-pointer, the first of four straight 3-point field goals by the Colonels.  Juan Cranford Jr., MJ Williams and Jayden Harris followed Buttry's triple with their own.  Cranford's three free throws pushed the margin to double figures, 33-22.
 
Williams capped the run with a 3-pointer for a 44-28 lead with 4:08 remaining in the first half.  The Colonels led by 17, 53-36, before Bellarmine hit two 3-pointers in the final minute to draw within 11 at the break, 53-42.
 
The Knights scored the first seven points of the second half to stretch it to a 13-0 run.  Tyler Doyle's layup capped what became a 19-3 run for the home team and closed the gap to a single point, 56-55, with 16:26 left to play.
 
Bellarmine hit its first six shots of the second half and didn't miss a field goal attempt until the 13:42 mark.  However, the Colonels never gave up the lead.
 
Two free throws from Jackson Holt and a 3-pointer from Williams pushed EKU out in front by 12, 85-73 with 5:49 to go. 
 
The Knights didn't quit, scoring eight straight and closing the gap to five on Jacob Wassler's 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining.  A 3-pointer from Jack Karasinski made it a 2-point game, 94-92, with 11 seconds on the clock.  EKU made just one of two free throw attempts at the other end giving Bellarmine a chance to tie or win but Karasinski missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
 
Williams led the team in scoring (19 points), assists (9) and rebounds (6).  Cranford hit 4-of-7 from deep and had 18 points.  Buttry made 4-of-8 from behind the arc and finished with 16 points.
 
The Colonels finished 20-for-36 from 3-point range for 56%.  It was their most three's in a game this season.  EKU shot 54% from the field for the game.
 
Bellarmine made 69% of its shots from the field for the game and went 11-of-22 from behind the arc.  Karasinski led all players with 31 points, making 6-of-11 of his three's.
 
The Colonels will wrap up the regular season with two home games next week starting Wednesday against Queens at 7 p.m.