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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Kentucky converted 21-of-23 free throws as the Colonels (7-9, 4-4 OVC) picked up a 67-56 road win at Eastern Illinois (2-15, 1-8 OVC) on Saturday night at Lantz Arena. With the win EKU sweeps the season series.
The Colonels made the most of their chances at the second half when they were needed most. After building a 26-18 lead in the opening 20 minutes, EKU converted 15-of-16 in the second half to hold off the Panthers. EKU was balanced in scoring at the line as three players hit four or more free throws.
EIU fought its way back into the game in the second half. Jake Byrne cut the lead to six with a basket out of the locker room. EKU built the lead up to 11 points as Adam Leonard drained a 3-pointer. After several baskets in each direction, Eastern Illinois used a 10-2 run midway through the period to close to 48-45 with 5:07 left.
After Justin Stommes converted an old fashion three point play to put EKU up six, Bobby Catchings answered with a three point play of his own to keep EIU in striking distance at 51-48 with 3:47 left.
Leonard then helped the Colonels pull away hitting four free throws and a 3-pointer in the final 2:41 of the game. Leonard led EKU with 16 points while Darnell Dialls added 13.
Catchings had 17 points to lead all scorers as he moved his EIU career total to 999 points. Byrne and Julio Anthony each added 13. Anthony was only 3-of-7 from the free throw line snapping a streak of 31 consecutive made free throws. The Panthers played without Romain Martin who sat out to rest a strained tendon in his foot.
The Panthers are back in action on Thursday with a road contest at Tennessee Tech.
