The Richmond Register

Sports

January 16, 2009

Panthers surge past EKU in final minutes

Wendy Haun

Just as it appeared the Colonels had the game in hand, it all slipped away.

Eastern Kentucky University couldn’t convert a shot in the final 7:52 and allowed Eastern Illinois to score 14-straight points on their way to a 58-44 victory Thursday in Charleston, Ill.

“One thing that stood out for EIU was they had a couple of seniors — Billy Parrish and Ousmane Cisse — who were focused on winning,” EKU coach Jeff Neubauer said. “We have to make sure our underclassmen understand the little things matter when it comes to winning.”

After EKU took an early 10-7 lead, EIU (7-9, 4-2 OVC) battled back, scoring 10-straight points. How-ever, thanks to a three-pointer by junior Josh Taylor (which would prove to be his only points of the game), a pair of free throws from junior Papa Oppong, playing in his first game back from a shoulder injury, and a three-pointer by senior Mike Rose, the Colonels were able to retake the lead, 18-17, with 7:44 left in the first half.

“I think most of the shots that we got were the shots we wanted,” Neubauer said. “We got open looks for Josh Taylor and Justin Stommes but we didn’t convert. We need to work on the details of what we do and work on defensive blockouts and rebounding to give ourselves a better chance.”

Neither team would give an inch the rest of the way to intermission, with EIU taking a slim, 26-25, lead into the locker room.

Rose and freshman Josh Jones both hit early threes in the second half to help EKU (9-8, 3-4, OVC) take a 31-28 lead. After EIU took another two-point lead, a pair of threes, this time from Rose and Oppong, gave EKU a 37-35 lead.

“We are very happy that Papa is healthy and has been able to return to action,” Neubauer said. “We now have to get the pieces of our team to mold together to create a winning unit.”

The Colonels went on a 7-2 run to take a 48-44 lead, but couldn’t find the bottom of the bucket the rest of the way.

Rose was the only Colonel in double-figures in scoring, netting 27 points off of 10-of-20 shooting, including 7-of-15 from three-point range. Rose’s seven three pointers tied an EKU record and moved him into ninth place in the OVC career list for three-pointers with 229 career threes. Jones had nine points and Oppong contributed eight points.

The Colonels only shot 30 percent for the game from the floor, their lowest shooting percentage of the season. EKU was outrebounded, 44-24, and lost the assist-turnover ratio, 9-13.

“Defense was very good so that was one reason it was a low-scoring game,” Neubauer said. “We created 19 turnovers but we weren’t able to convert any of them into points. If you create turnovers and steals and you can get a couple of easy baskets, it really matters. We did not do that tonight.”

The Colonels will try to get back on track Saturday, as they travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo., for a matchup with Southeast Missouri State. Tip-off is set for 8:45 p.m.

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