Eastern Kentucky Downs EIU In Men's, Women's BB

RICHMOND, Ky. – On a night that Eastern Illinois senior Mack Smith set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a 3-pointer made, it was several scoreless stretches in the second half that helped Eastern Kentucky beat Eastern Illinois, 69-61 at McBrayer Arena.

EIU fell to 3-5 on the season, 0-1 in the OVC. EKU improved to 8-2 overall, 2-1 in the OVC. 

Smith knocked down the NCAA record shot with 11:52 to play in the first half to extend his streak to 89 straight games. Smith started his streak in the same venue as he knocked down the first of the streak on Jan. 6, 2018 at EKU. 

EKU would lead 43-36 at the half as the Colonels shot 53 percent from the floor. The Panthers stuck around in the game with their play on the glass.  EIU held a 25-17 rebound margin in the first half and finished the game with a 49-37 advantage. 

George Dixon led the Panthers with a double-double finishing with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Sammy Friday IV added eight rebounds. 

EIU cut the EKU lead to one point three times in the second half but could never take the lead. In the final 11 minutes of the game, EIU went through three long scoreless stretches one lasting four minutes. 

On a night that EIU did not have Josiah Wallace available, Marvin Johnson and Henry Abraham added nine points each. 

EKU was led by Tre King with 22 points and 12 rebounds.  EKU was held to 33 percent shooting in the second half. 

Eastern Kentucky 80, EIU 69 (Women)

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Eastern Kentucky used a late 12-0 run as the Colonels beat Eastern Illinois, 80-69, on the Wednesday night in Ohio Valley Conference action at McBrayer Arena. 

EIU fell to 3-4 overall, 1-1 in the OVC.  EKU improved to 4-3 overall, 3-0 in the OVC. 

EIU jumped out early with Karle Pace scoring ten points in the first quarter.  Pace would finish with 21 points, one of three Panthers in double figures. 
Emma Hacker was able to help EKU keep pace as she scored 10 points in the first quarter.  Hacker finished with 22 points going 7-of-7 from the field including 6-of-6 from 3-point range.  

Anysa Jordan had the first of two individual runs midway through the second quarter as she scored six straight points to give EKU a 28-27 lead with 5:15 to play in the quarter.    

Pace would respond with a lay-up for the Panthers as they had a late 8-0 run in the quarter to lead 43-35 at the half.  The Panthers defense played a large role in the halftime advantage as they forced 17 EKU turnovers.  EIU finished with 15 steals with ten coming in the first half.  

The Colonels cut down on their turnovers in the second half and continued to shoot well from the outside.  EKU had only seven second half turnovers while shooting 53 percent from the field and 53 percent from 3-point range (10-of-19). 

EKU took the lead late in the third quarter hitting five of six free throws to close the quarter and lead 57-53.  In the fourth quarter Jordan again led a late EKU run as she had a three-point play and lay-up during the 12-0 Colonels run.  Jordan finished with 18 points. 

EIU played without junior forward Abby Wahl and her presence on the inside was missed on the rebounding end as EKU finished with a 37-22 rebound margin. 

Senior Taylor Steele made her first start of the season for EIU finishing with 16 points while Lariah Washington added 12.  EIU shot 41 percent for the game