RICHMOND, Ky. (Interstat) — Eastern Kentucky used a strong second half to defeat North Alabama 88-80 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at McBrayer Arena. The teams were tied at 42 at halftime, but the Colonels outscored the Lions 46-38 after the break. Eastern Kentucky’s efficiency at the free-throw line proved critical, making 19 of 23 attempts while North Alabama hit just 14 of 25. Canin Jefferson led all scorers with 24 points for North Alabama. Turner Buttry paced Eastern Kentucky with 19 points. The Colonels improved to 5-11 overall, while the Lions fell to 5-9. Attendance was 791.

RICHMOND, Ky. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive efficiency and a decisive second-half surge, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels outlasted the North Alabama Lions 88-80 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball contest Thursday night at McBrayer Arena. The game, played before an announced crowd of 791, saw both teams locked in a high-scoring duel for the first 30 minutes before the Colonels used a pivotal 10-0 run midway through the second half to create a cushion the Lions could not overcome. The victory improved Eastern Kentucky’s record to 5-11 overall, while North Alabama fell to 5-9. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded with just over 10 minutes remaining and Eastern Kentucky clinging to a 62-60 lead. Following a North Alabama turnover, the Colonels’ Turner Buttry connected on a 3-pointer. On the ensuing Lions possession, a blocked shot led to a transition dunk by Yvens Paul. After another North Alabama miscue, Buttry struck again from beyond the arc, capping a rapid 10-point outburst that pushed the Colonel lead to 72-60 with 9:58 to play. North Alabama never closed the gap to fewer than six points the rest of the way. The contest was a statistical oddity, featuring identical totals in possessions (68), assists (6), and steals (6) for both teams. The difference was Eastern Kentucky’s superior execution within those parameters. The Colonels posted an offensive rating of 129.6, fueled by a 19-for-23 performance from the free-throw line and a 12-6 advantage in offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. North Alabama, despite shooting a higher percentage from the field (52.8% to 46.0%), was hampered by 14 missed free throws, going 14 of 25 from the line. Eastern Kentucky’s backcourt duo of Turner Buttry and Juan Cranford provided the offensive firepower. Buttry, a guard from Bowling Green, Ky., led all players with 19 points and five assists, including three crucial 3-pointers. Cranford, from Dayton, Ohio, added 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers of his own in the first half to keep the Colonels pace with a hot-shooting Lions squad. Frontcourt players Yvens Paul (12 points) and Austin Ball (13 points) provided essential interior scoring and rebounding. North Alabama was carried by the standout performance of guard Canin Jefferson. The New Orleans native scored a game-high 24 points and dished out five assists, keeping the Lions within striking distance throughout. Forward Donte Bacchus of Homewood, Ala., contributed 19 points, and reserve guard Braylon Patton added 13 points off the bench. The first half was a shootout, with both teams trading baskets and ending knotted at 42-42. North Alabama opened the game with a flurry, hitting three 3-pointers in the first 80 seconds to take an early 9-2 lead. Cranford answered with a personal 11-point run for Eastern Kentucky, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers to erase the deficit and set the tone for a back-and-forth period that featured eight ties and five lead changes. Eastern Kentucky emerged from halftime with greater intensity, particularly on the glass. The Colonels outrebounded North Alabama 21-14 in the second half and converted North Alabama’s nine turnovers into 10 points. While the Lions managed to score 10 fast-break points to Eastern Kentucky’s five, they could not consistently string together stops to mount a sustained comeback in the final minutes. The win provides a positive start to the ASUN schedule for Eastern Kentucky, which had lost its previous two games. North Alabama, meanwhile, has now dropped three consecutive contests after a promising start to league play. Both teams return to action Saturday, with Eastern Kentucky hosting Central Arkansas and North Alabama traveling to face Bellarmine.

RICHMOND, Ky. (Interstat) — Two ASUN Conference men’s basketball teams seeking to reverse recent slides will meet Thursday when Eastern Kentucky hosts North Alabama at McBrayer Arena. The Colonels (4-11) and Lions (5-8) enter the matchup on nearly identical trajectories, with both having lost three of their last four games. Eastern Kentucky is coming off an 88-76 road loss at West Georgia on Saturday, while North Alabama fell 72-55 at home to Florida Gulf Coast the same day. A key matchup will feature each team’s top offensive performer. North Alabama will lean on forward Donte Bacchus, who is averaging 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds over his last five contests. He posted 22 points and seven rebounds in a narrow loss to Stetson on Jan. 1 and followed with 13 points and nine rebounds against Florida Gulf Coast. Eastern Kentucky counters with guard Juan Cranford, who has scored in double figures in six straight games. He dropped a season-high 20 points in the loss to West Georgia and is a consistent perimeter threat for the Colonels’ offense. Both teams have struggled to find consistency this season. The Lions’ last win came on Dec. 1 at Jacksonville State. Their most recent victory before that was a notable 65-63 road upset at San Francisco on Dec. 3. Eastern Kentucky’s two most recent wins were against non-Division I Indiana East and a 62-59 road victory at Jacksonville State on Dec. 17. Defense will likely be a point of emphasis. North Alabama has allowed 70 or more points in six of its eight losses this season. Eastern Kentucky has surrendered 88 points or more in three of its last five defeats. Thursday’s contest opens a critical early conference stretch for both squads. Following this game, North Alabama travels to face Bellarmine on Saturday. Eastern Kentucky remains at home to host Central Arkansas that same day. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.