The Eastern Kentucky University’s men’s basketball team secured a second straight win with a convincing 85-70 victory over ASUN Conference first place Stetson University on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.
The Colonels (12-7, 5-1 ASUN) set the tone early, scoring the first four points of the game and never looking back. A hook shot by Isaiah Cozart made it 9-3, and back-to-back 3-pointers from Michael Moreno staked EKU to a 17-4 lead. A Leland Walker jumper and a dunk by Cozart made it a 15-point margin, 24-9.
Stetson (10-7, 5-1 ASUN) struggled in the early stages of the game, making just three field goals in the first 10 minutes and starting 3-for-12 from the field.
Cozart had a strong game for the Colonels, finishing with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, as well as five blocks. Moreno scored 21 points with five rebounds and four assists, and Tayshawn Comer handed out 11 assists.
Eastern Kentucky took another 15-point lead, 33-18, on Walker’s jumper at the 6:57 mark. The freshman’s 3-pointer with 5:01 in the first stretched it to 21 points, 40-19. Another hook shot from Cozart with 2:44 before the break gave the Colonels their largest lead of the game at 23 points, 46-23. EKU led by 18, 48-30, at the half.
The Colonels connected on 52 percent of their shots in the first half. Stetson entered the game sixth in the nation with 10.63 three-pointers per game, but was held to 3-for-11 shooting (27 percent) from deep in the first half.
The Hatters started the second half hot, hitting on 6-of-11. Sam Peek’s 3-pointer with 12:44 remaining in the game capped the fast start and got Stetson within 12, 57-45. However, the visitors never got any closer.
EKU went inside and got back-to-back dunks by Dardan Kapiti and John Ukomadu to move back on top by 16, 63-47. Cozart hit two free throws to put Eastern Kentucky up by 19, 72-53. A 3-pointer from the left wing by Moreno pushed the margin to 19 again, 81-62, with 3:11 to play.
Stetson hit 7-of-16 from long range in the second half to finish 10-for-27 (37 percent). The Colonels made 47 percent of their shots from the field and out-rebounded the Hatters 45-30. Wheza Panzo had 14 points to lead Stetson.
Eastern Kentucky will now hit the road next week to play at Lipscomb on Thursday and Austin Peay on Saturday. The game against the Bisons in Nashville is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET.
