Late Run Surges Eastern Kentucky Past Radford, 65-52

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Eastern Kentucky outscored Radford, 18-6 over the final 7:13 to defeat the Highlanders, 65-52 in the second game of the Comfort Suites Tip-Off Classic. RU received double figures from three players, led by senior Taryn Causey’s game high 13 points, in its season opener. Causey also had three assists and three steals. The Lady Colonels, who had 10 players score, were led by Pam Garrett’s 12 points and game high eight rebounds.

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The Highlanders will face Jackson State, who lost to Georgia Southern 53-41, at noon tomorrow from McBrayer Arena.

In a tightly contested first half, Radford and EKU went into the break tied at 28. After the Lady Colonels opened the scoring on a bucket by Candis Cook, senior Jesse Brunjak scored five straight points on a layup and a three to put RU up 5-2. Over the next four minutes, there were seven lead changes and two ties.

EKU took a 15-12 lead on a layup by Miranda Eckerle and held onto the advantage until the Highlanders scored the final four points to knot the score at the break. RU shot 46 percent in the first half, led by seven points from Brunjak, who led all scorers at the break. Garret posted a team high six for the Lady Colonel who shot 39 percent.

RU used a 6-1spurt to take 34-29 lead two minutes into the second half. EKU battled back using a 12-2 run to go up by five with 12:31 to go. The Lady Colonels pushed the lead to six on two occasions, the second with 9:09 left in the game.

The Highlanders would cut the lead to one at 47-46 with 7:28 to go, but an 18-3 EKU run, sparked by eight of Miranda Eckerle’s 10 points, over the next 4:24. Eckerle also had a tied for a team best eight boards.

Brunjak finished the game with 12 points and three assists. Sophomore Sarah Stephens posted 10 points and a game best seven boards and four assists. Laura Shelton chipped in with eight points and a game high 10 assists for EKU.

RU shot 42.6 percent for the game, while EKU hit 44.6 percent of its shots, 52 percent in the second half. Defensively EKU forced 20 turnovers and had 12 steals, while the Highs forced 17 turnovers and had 10 steals. EKU outrebounded RU, 33-29.