Eastern Kentucky University’s men’s basketball team scored the first five points of the game, led by two eight minutes in and held No. 7 University of Tennessee to 24 percent shooting in the first half, but the Volunteers pulled away for an 84-49 victory on Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Michael Moreno’s 3-pointer staked the visitors to a 5-0 lead. A dunk from Isaiah Cozart put EKU ahead 11-9 with 11:51 on the clock. A jumper from Tayshawn Comer had the Colonels within three, 20-17, with 7:56 remaining in the opening stanza. However, Tennessee closed the first half on a 12-4 run.
After Comer’s basket, Eastern Kentucky didn’t score again until Leland Walker banked in a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 27-20 with 3:02 before halftime. UT built an 11-point lead, 32-21, at the break.
The Volunteers hit just 5-of-28 from the field (18 percent) to start the game and were held to 24 percent (8-of-34) shooting in the first half. The Colonels made just 6-of-29 (21 percent) of their first half shots. EKU forced 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play, but UT turned 13 offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points.
Tennessee scored the first 10 points of the second half to stretch its lead to 21 points, 42-21. Cozart’s putback with 17:15 to go in the game was EKU’s first points of the second half.
Walker led Eastern Kentucky (4-5) with 13 points. Moreno and Devontae Blanton combined for 15 rebounds.
The Volunteers (8-1) were led by Tyreke Key with 17 points. Julian Phillips had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Colonels will return to Baptist Health Arena Saturday to host Boyce College at 7 p.m. Saturday will be Healthcare Workers Appreciation Day – Presented by Baptist Health Richmond. EKU Athletics would like to thank all health care workers by offering two complimentary tickets to the game. Additional tickets can be purchased for a discounted rate of $5. Link to redeem tickets can be found here.
Kevin Britton
Associate Director of EKUSports Communications