Recap: Murray State vs. Eastern Ky

Murray, KY (Sports Network) - Corey Walden and Mike DiNunno posted 20 points each to lead the Eastern Kentucky Colonels to a 77-65 victory over the Murray State Racers in an Ohio Valley Conference tilt at the CFSB Center.

Tarius Johnson finished with 17 points and seven boards for EKU (13-3, 3-0 OVC) as it picked up its third consecutive win since entering conference play. Marcus Lewis made an impact on the defensive end of the floor by swiping five steals.

Isaiah Canaan led Murray State (11-4, 2-1) with 24 points, six assists, and three steals, but he also committed seven turnovers and missed half of his eight free throw tries. Stacy Wilson scored 16 points for the Racers, who suffered just their second loss in a row for just the sixth time in 15 seasons dating back to 1998.

The Colonels opened up the game with seven straight points to go on top early. Murray State was held scoreless until Dexter Fields drained a 3-pointer just over six minutes after tip-off. The Racers overcame the early deficit and led by four points, but EKU produced another big run which help it build a 39-25 lead at the game progressed into the intermission. The Colonels drained 50 percent of their field goal attempts including 5-of-14 from 3-point range in the first half. Murray State could not find its rhythm offensively and went 8- of-25 from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

The Racers improved to knock down 54.5 percent of their attempts from the floor including 8-of-15 from beyond the arc after the break, but EKU held off the rally effort to hand Murray State its first OVC loss, which equals the amount it had all of last season.

The Colonels outscored the Racers, 29-9, in points off of turnovers and also, 40-12, in the paint to earn the double-digit decision.