E. Illinois holds off E. Kentucky 72-65

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) Trae Anderson scored 14 points and hauled in seven rebounds to lead Eastern Illinois to a 72-65 win over Eastern Kentucky on Thursday night.

Cornell Johnston and LeTrell Viser added 10 points apiece for Eastern Illinois (11-6, 5-0 Ohio Valley), which shot 54 percent from the floor and 11 of 19 from long range to tie the program's Division I record with eight straight wins.

Leading 41-29 at the break, Eastern Illinois had to fend off an Eastern Kentucky (10-6, 2-1) surge in the second half.

The Colonels out-scored Eastern Illinois 36-31 after the break, narrowing the gap to 63-61 on a pair of free throws from Timmy Knipp with 2:02 to go. A 3-pointer from Viser at the other end extended Eastern Illinois' lead back to five and the Panthers padded it at the free throw line down the stretch.

Corey Walden led Eastern Kentucky with 29 points.