RICHMOND, Ky.-- The Eastern Kentucky University Colonels battled the Southeast Missouri Indians, but for the 21^st time in 24 tries, were on the short end of a 77-61 loss. For most of the first half, the game was back and forth, as there were four lead changes and two ties. At the end of the half, however, SEMO had built a 42-28 lead, with a 25-10 run. Two 3-pointers and 7-7 free throw shooting were key factors in the run. "Their run, especially the 3-pointers, were a big key for them." said EKU coach Scott Perry.
 

"We were not strong enough on the interior." Perry added. The Indians had outrebounded the Colonels 22-12 by halftime and finished the game with a 45-25 advantage. "We didn't match up physically. They beat us up on the boards. Bud Eley (a fifth-year senior, 6'10", 260 lbs) was a key for them." said Perry. Eley finished the night with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Kahn Cotton and Mike Branson followed with 14 points each and Cory Johnson added 10. Whitney Robinson was the leading scorer in the game with 20 for Eastern and Darius Acuff followed him with 13.
 

"We did take care of the basketball tonight." Perry said. EKU, for the night, had its best game of the year with only 7 turnovers. The Colonels had a good night at the free throw line, as they made 16-21 attempts for 76.2 percent. Eastern got to within eight points, 51-43, in the second half. But a 15-3 run by Southeast put the game out of reach. Two 3-pointers were again the big plays in this stretch.
 

SEMO, who is second in the OVC race for the championship, improves to 17-8 overall and 14-3 in the league. Eastern, who drops to 2-14 in the OVC, hosts Tennessee Tech, Thursday night at 8:45, and Middle Tennessee, Saturday afternoon at 4:15, to close out the 1998-1999 campaign.