Fant hits 20 as Western Kentucky rolls over Eastern Illinois 68-53

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – George Fant scored 20 points as Western Kentucky rolled over Eastern Illinois 68-53 Saturday night.

T.J. Price had 13 points for the Hilltoppers.

Western Kentucky (4-2), which has been holding its opponents to a 62.4 points per game average, limited the Panthers to 53.

Eastern Illinois (3-4) jumped out to an 8-0 lead and led 16-7 on a Reggie Smith 3-pointer midway of the first period.

Western Kentucky mounted an 18-2 run, tying the score at 18 on a Payton Hulsey 3-pointer. Eastern Illinois later tied the score but could never retake the lead. The Hilltoppers held a 28-24 advantage at the half.

Western Kentucky extended its lead to 39-29 in the second half, but Eastern Illinois had a run that pulled the Panthers to within 49-45 at the 7:32 mark. An Aaron Adeoye layup, followed by a Kevin Kaspar layup and 3-pointer pushed the lead to 56-45.