CONWAY, SC - After getting off to a slow start, the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team came on strong late in the game to defeat Coastal Carolina, 74-68.

Eastern found Coastal Carolina's defense tough to negotiate early in the game as the Lady Chanticleers held EKU scoreless for more than seven minutes to open the game. Finally, with 12:43 remaining in the first half, freshman guard Mikki Bond got EKU on the scoreboard with a two-point jumper. That made the score 6-2 in favor of Coastal Carolina.

With that strong defense, Coastal Carolina took a 29-26 advantage into the locker room at halftime. The Lady Chanticleers forced EKU into 16 first half turnovers, helping to secure that lead.

"I thought that we played as bad in the first half as we have all season," said Eastern head coach Larry Joe Inman. "We came out physically like we were prepared, but mentally we seemed out to lunch."

In the second half, Eastern refused to go down, hanging in the contest and taking its first lead of the afternoon with 17:30 remaining on the clock. Senior Jennifer King hit the first of two free throws, giving EKU the 32-31 lead. King hit her second free throw to extend that lead to two points. The Lady Chanticleers regained the lead six minutes later on two free throws by Cheri McNeil. Once again, the Lady Colonels were down, 46-44.

Eastern's junior guard Marla Gearhart refused to let the Lady Colonels lose as she took over the second half, scoring 13 of her game-high 21 in that decisive half. Gearhart was perfect at the free throw line, hitting all 10 of her charity attempts, including a 6-6 effort in the second half. She also added two rebounds, one assist and five steals.

"We did a much better job in the second half," said Inman. "We got down to business."

Sophomore Charlotte Sizemore, freshman Mikki Bond and King also stepped up late for Eastern. Sizemore ended the afternoon with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Bond added 10 points, four rebounds and one steal. King finished with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. King was also perfect from the free throw line as she hit all five attempts.

"Mikki, Charlotte, Marla and Jennifer all stepped up in the second half," said Inman. "Mikki forced a lot of key turnovers. You like to see the freshman stepping up."

Senior Cathy Dues had a strong showing coming off the bench for Eastern. She contributed five points, one assist, two steals, two blocks and a team-high six rebounds.

The Lady Colonels entered the game as the Ohio Valley Conference's top team in taking care of the basketball. Eastern had only committed 86 turnovers, compared to 92 assists. The Lady Chanticleers held Eastern to only 10 assists, while forcing 28 Lady Colonel turnovers. Despite the turnovers, the Lady Colonels shot 60 percent from the field in the second half to overcome the opening half shooting troubles.

With the win, Eastern improves to 3-3 overall. The Lady Colonels will try to keep it going as they travel to Wofford College tomorrow for a 2:30 PM game.

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