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BEREA, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky forced Eastern Illinois turnovers and converted several of those into 3-pointers as the Colonels beat the Panthers 81-66 on Saturday night in a match-up of former conference rivals.

EKU improved to 6-5 while EIU fell to 3-7.

EKU broke open a close game midway through the first half with an 11-0 run using 13 EIU first half turnovers that were converted into 16 first half points.   A jumper by Kooper Jacobi snapped the Colonels run.  Jacobi finished with his third double-double of the season for EIU with ten points and 13 rebounds.

EKU led 39-28 at the break led by George Kimball III with 13 of his 18 points in the opening half.

In the second half EKU was able to convert on several transition 3-pointers knocking down eight straight shots and six straight 3-pointers to stretch the lead out to 73-41 with 8:25 to play. 

EKU was 17-of-38 from 3-point range in the game with Jackson Holt going 5-of-10 to finish with 17 points. 

The Panthers closed the game on a 10-0 run with Nakyel Shelton leading EIU with 22 points.  Obadiah Curtis provided a lift off the bench with 12 points.