EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team could not overcome cold shooting in an 83-75 loss to SIUE on Saturday at the Vadalabene Center.
The loss snapped EKU’s (12-13, 9-3 OVC) six-game win streak.
Sophomore Jomaru Brown led the Colonels with 21 points, to go along with six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Freshman Michael Moreno finished with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Senior Lachlan Anderson came off the bench to record 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
EKU shot 31 percent from the floor (21-of-68), 19 percent from deep (7-of-37) and 72 percent from the free throw line (26-of-36).
Despite the poor shooting numbers, the Colonels clawed back and pulled to within three, 68-65, when junior JacQuess Hobbs drained a free throw with just over four minutes to play.
SIUE (6-19, 3-9 OVC) responded with a 12-2 run over the next 3:30 to put the game out of reach.
Shamar Wright paced the Cougars with 20 points.
SIUE shot 47 percent from the floor (26-of-55) and 43 percent from deep (6-of-14).
Eastern fell into a deep hole early, as SIUE ran out to a 16-2 lead. The Colonels slowly chipped away at the deficit and took the lead, 23-21, when Moreno converted a putback with 5:23 remaining in the first half.
A three-pointer by Moreno just before the buzzer sent EKU into the locker at the half up by two, 30-28.
SIUE, however, opened the second half with an 11-2 run and took a 39-32 advantage when Tyrese Williford sank a pair of foul shots with 17:02 left. The Cougars led the rest of the way.
SIUE out-rebounded EKU, 48-34; however, the Colonels won the turnover battle, 26-12.
Eastern returns to action on Thursday at rival Morehead State. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
