In the first game of the EKU Hoops Classic, Eastern Kentucky scored their second straight home win with an 89-81 win over Ball State. Both teams entered the game 1-1 on the season.
Ball State started the game off with a powerful offensive performance, quickly stringing together a 13-0 lead within the first few minutes, dominating the game in every facet. After a timeout and pep talk from 1st year head coach Dan McHale, the Colonels responded with a 11-0 run of their own, with veteran forward Jonathan Hood suddenly catching fire and scoring 8 of those 11 points. Ball State continued their offensive brilliance and connected on six 3-pointers in the first ten minutes of the game, breaking down EKU’s zone defense.
Eastern Kentucky could not seem to find rhythm in the first half, but luckily for the Colonels, Jonathan Hood kept knocking down big shot after big shot; ending the half with 18 points on perfect 6/6 shooting, including four 3-point baskets. Fellow veteran Javontae Hawkins also found his rhythm towards the end of the half, adding 7 points too in the last few minutes of the half. A poor defensive effort by EKU was cancelled out by a tremendous offensive output by Hood and Hawkins, and the Colonels went into halftime with a one-point lead.
The second half was very much a back and forth game for the first ten minutes, where neither team could really pull ahead. Around the ten minute mark, EKU suddenly got a surge of energy on defense, wreaking havoc and forcing several turnovers that translated to fast-break points, extending their lead to 10. After that, the Colonels never looked back and behind a strong performance from veterans Jayle Babb-Harrison, Ja’Mill Powell, and John Hood, EKU was able to hold onto their lead and defeat Ball State.
Veteran leadership was the story of this game, as Babb-Harrison, Powell, and Hood combined for an impressive 48 points off the bench. The Colonels were able to stay perfect at home, now holding a 2-0 record when playing in McBrayer Arena this season.
Standout Performances
EKU
-Jonathan Hood: 21 pts, 2 reb, 7/9 FG
-Javontae Hawkins: 20 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast
BALL STATE
-Ryan Weber: 19 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast
-Franko House: 17 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast
FINAL: 89-81 Eastern Kentucky
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