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RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky closed the second half with a 17-5 run as the Colonels wrapped up the final spot in this year's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with a 86-74 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday night in Richmond. 

EIU finished the season at 12-17 overall, 5-11 in the OVC.  EKU improved to 16-15, 7-9 in the OVC.

After scoring only 11 points in the opening half at Morehead State on Thursday, EIU nearly matched that total by the first media timeout as the offense played with confidence.  Joey Miller knocked down his first three 3-pointers en route to a 13 point night as EIU held a 19-14 lead at the 12:19 mark.

EIU led 22-18 on a Jeremy Granger 3-pointer and led 24-20 on a Zavier Sanders put back bucket with 9:53 remaining in the half.  Jaron Jones and Joshua Jones then combined to lead the Colonels on the 17-5 run that gave EKU the 42-31 halftime lead.

The Jones added nine quick points in the opening minutes of the second half to extend EKU's lead to 51-33 with 17:53 left in the game.  Joshua Jones finished with 27 points, Jaron Jones had 23.

EIU was never able to get the margin closer than 12 points until the closing moments as Granger scored EIU's final eight points to finish with 26.  The 26 points gave the senior 1,287 for his career as he finishes at 16th on the EIU career list.

Alfonzo McKinnie added 14 points for the Panthers to go along with five rebounds.  EIU was 17-of-20 at the line and shot 51 percent for the game.  EKU finished shooting 55 percent from the floor.