- Eastern Kentucky University clinches its fourth consecutive conference victory with a hard-fought 59-51 win against Jacksonville at Swisher Gymnasium.
- EKU advances to an impressive 15-5 record for the season and stands at 4-2 in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
- The 15-5 record marks the third-best 20-game start to a season in the program’s history.
Player Highlights:
- Alice Recanati leads the Colonels with a double-double, contributing 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
- Antwainette Walker shines with a game-high 17 points, shooting 7-of-13 (.538) from the floor. She adds seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists to her impressive performance.
- Ivy Turner, the guard for EKU, chips in with nine points and seven rebounds, while forward Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor scores eight points with five rebounds.
Game Overview:
- The first quarter sees a close battle between EKU and Jacksonville, ending with the Dolphins holding a narrow lead, 15-13.
- EKU starts the second quarter with a strong offensive display, scoring on their first five possessions, including a 10-0 run. The first half concludes with EKU leading 32-26.
- Despite Jacksonville’s efforts to keep the score close, EKU maintains control, leading 47-36 at the end of the third quarter.
- In the final minutes of regulation, Jacksonville narrows the gap to two points, 49-47. However, EKU responds with crucial plays, including back-to-back three-pointers from Recanati, securing a 59-51 victory.
Team Performance:
- EKU outperforms Jacksonville in all three shooting categories, with a 44 percent field goal percentage, 35 percent from three-point range, and 71 percent from the free-throw line.
- The Colonels dominate the boards, outrebounding Jacksonville 38 to 28, showcasing a consistent rebounding strength in conference play.
Notable Stat:
- With two assists in the game against Jacksonville, Recanati is on the verge of becoming EKU’s program leader in career assists, needing just seven more to surpass the record held by Angie Cox since 1992.
Upcoming:
- EKU stays in Jacksonville for the next game against North Florida on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. inside UNF Arena. Fans can catch the contest live on ESPN+ or on 92.5 WEKY (Richmond area) with Wes Chandler on the call.