EKU defeats Longwood University

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Senior Jarelle Reischel and sophomore Paul Jackson both recorded double-doubles as the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team picked up its third win in as many days with an impressive 110-97 victory over Longwood on Sunday, the final day of the 2015 @EKUHoops Classic at McBrayer Arena.

Reischel finished with a career-high 37 points and 13 rebounds for his second double-double of the year. His 37 points were the most by a Colonel since Shawn Fields scored 36 in a game at Morehead State on February 15, 2003.

Jackson, meanwhile, logged his first career double-double with 14 points and 13 assists.

Reischel and Jackson’s double-doubles marked the first time Colonel teammates posted double-doubles in the same game since Michael Haney and Mike Scott against Savannah State on December 20, 2003.

Junior JaVontae Hawkins added 26 points, five assists and two blocks for the Colonels.

The Colonels (4-1) shot a blistering 66.7 percent (40-of-60) from the field and 54 percent (13-of-24) from behind the arc. It was EKU’s best shooting night since posting a 67 percent mark from the field in a win over Cincinnati Christian College on November 23, 2010.

Lotanna Nwogbo and Tra’Vaughn White both finished in double-digits for Longwood. Nwogbo tallied 26 points and seven rebounds, while White logged 21 points and four rebounds in the loss.

The game featured nine ties and 14 lead changes, until the Colonels’ defensive pressure forced three straight turnovers to help put the game out of reach late in the second half. Reischel got the run going, as he picked the pocket of Chris Shields and took it to the rim for the finish and the foul, putting the Colonels up 80-78 with 7:05 left on the clock.

On the following Longwood possession, Jackson came away with a steal and found Hawkins for the slam, as Eastern extended its lead to four.

As the Lancers (2-3) looked to get the ball across midcourt, it was Reischel again that thwarted Longwood’s offensive attack. Reischel came away with his third steal of the contest and took it to the basket, putting the Colonels up six, 84-78, with 6:39 left to play.

A jumper from Reischel gave the Colonels a 10-point cushion with 3:21 remaining. With 2:12 showing, Jackson found Reischel for the lay-in, forcing a Longwood timeout.

The Colonels surpassed the century mark for the second time this season on a three-pointer from junior Isaac McGlone that put Eastern ahead, 101-88, all but sealing win number four on the season.

The up-tempo Colonels are now averaging 99.5 points-per-game in four home contests this season.

Eastern Kentucky hosts Thomas More College on Wednesday at McBrayer Arena. Wednesday’s game is scheduled for 2 p.m.