RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University Lady Colonel basketball team closes out regular season play Saturday at EKU's McBrayer Arena against Southeast Missouri in a 2:00 p.m. game that will feature pre-game Senior Day activities for guard Marla Gearhart.

EKU strengthened its hold on fifth place in the Ohio Valley Conference with a convincing 79-72 victory over Eastern Illinois Thursday night as Gearhart led the Lady Colonels with a game-high 26 points. Junior center Candice Finley added 20 points to the Eastern attack as the Lady Colonels upped their overall record to 12-14 and 9-8 in the OVC.

"From top to bottom, I was very pleased with the effort tonight," said EKU head coach Larry Joe Inman. "Holding EIU to just 29 percent shooting in the first half. That's what it's all about. We caused a lot of turnovers (24) and did a much better job on the boards (41-41)."

Gearhart, who will be honored just before tipoff Saturday as the Lady Colonels' lone senior, equally distributed her points with 13 in each half as EKU took control with a 41-27 advantage at halftime.

"Statistically, we won the game in almost every category. We gave some kids a chance to play there at the end with the game decided and I was very disappointed with the way the game ended."

With 1:22 left, Eastern Kentucky led 77-60, only to see the Panthers outscored EKU, 12-2, to end the game. Eastern Illinois fell to 7-18 overall and 5-12 in the OVC.

Eastern Kentucky has qualified for the 8-team OVC post-season tournament, but will not know its opponent for Tuesday night until after completion of all OVC games Saturday.  It is known, however, that the Lady Colonels will be on the road for its first round game at either UT Martin, Murray State or Middle Tennessee.