RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) - Forward Courtney Lee scored 23 points and
Western Kentucky went on a 16-7 run before halftime to defeat
Eastern Kentucky 77-60 on Saturday night at McBrayer Arena.
Lee started hot, scoring nine of Western Kentucky's first 12
points to lead the Hilltoppers (7-2) to a 12-8 lead at the 12:24
mark of the first half. The Hilltoppers then went on a 16-7 run to
lead 28-17 with 5:49 left in the half. Western Kentucky stretched
the lead to 18 points at the half (46-28) as Eastern Kentucky (4-5)
committed 11 first half turnovers resulting in eight Hilltopper
lay-ups or dunks.
Eastern Kentucky scored the first five points of the second half
to close the gap to 48-33. The Hilltoppers then outscored the
Colonels 11-1 over the next four minutes. The Colonels would get no
closer than 15 points the rest of the game.
Junior guard Mike Rose led EKU with 14 points, followed by
reserve forward Josh Daniel with 13 points and senior forward
Jamaal Douglas with 10.
Two other Hilltoppers scored in double digits. Senior guard
Tyrone Brazelton had 15 points and Orlando Mendez-Valdez had 10
points.