Eastern Kentucky snaps a 13-game skid in series with WKU

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) Asante Gist scored 19 points and Eastern Kentucky defeated Western Kentucky 78-59 on Wednesday night as the Colonels ended a 13-game skid in their series with the Hilltoppers.

Nick Mayo, with five assists, and Isaac McGlone, who made all four of his 3-point attempts, scored 14 points each for EKU (4-4) in the rivals' 157th meeting. EKU's last win in the series came in 1987.

Jaylen Babb-Harrison added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Colonels, who were 29 of 57 from the floor (50.9 percent), including 13 of 29 for 44.8 percent from 3-point range.

The Hilltoppers (3-4) were led by Justin Johnson with 18 points and eight rebounds. Junior Lomomba added 15 points and Que Johnson 13.

EKU led 35-24 at halftime with Gist's 3-pointer giving EKU a 12-point lead with 12:14 left. The lead stayed in double figures, reaching a high of 24.

This was EKU's first trip to the Colonels' home since 2007.