Eastern Kentucky beats Ohio Valley leader Belmont, 88-78

Feb 6, 2016, 08:23 pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- JaVontae Hawkins scored 24 points, Jarelle Reischel added 20 and Eastern Kentucky beat Belmont 88-78 on Saturday night.

Paul Jackson chipped in 15 points for the Colonels (14-12, 5-6 Ohio Valley), who shot 54 percent from the floor.

Craig Bradshaw scored 20 points and Nick Smith had 15 for Belmont (17-8, 9-2). The Bruins have lost two of their last three games since having a nine-game win streak snapped. Evan Bradds had 12 rebounds and chipped in eight points.

Eastern Kentucky jumped out on a 20-8 run and built a 40-32 halftime lead. Hawkins scored 16 points, Reischel had 12 and the Colonels forced nine turnovers in the first half.

A 16-9 spurt pulled the Bruins to 49-48 with 12 minutes remaining. The Colonels answered with three straight 3-pointers, sparking 20-11 surge and led 69-59. Bradds' layup cut the deficit to 79-73 with 1:16, but the Bruins did not get closer.