RICHMOND, Ky. - Coach Larry Joe Inman's Eastern Kentucky University Lady Colonel basketball team concluded its 1999-2000 season with a 67-61 loss at Murray State University in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Eastern trimmed a 14-point second-half deficit to three (58-55) in the late-going and had four chances to close the margin after that, but could get no closer the rest of the way.

"We just couldn't knock down the big shot. They just wouldn't fall," said Inman. "We got our defense going and started controlling the backboards and got back in it. But I believe we exhausted ourselves defensively, causing our shots to fall short there at the end."

Despite the loss which dropped Eastern's overall record to 13-15, Inman was pleased with what this team accomplished.

"This bunch fought to the very end," said Inman. "This is the greatest group of young people I've ever been associated with as a coach. They have epitomized the meaning of TEAM all year long.

"I think it became evident as the year went along that we missed Charlotte (Sizemore) and Larrya (Wall), especially on offense. We turned out to be a much better defensive team than offensive club this year."

Senior guard Marla Gearhart closed her career at Eastern with nine points against Murray State, bringing her final point total at Eastern to 1,085 points, 11^th on the all-time Lady Colonel list.

"We have been blessed to have had her on the team for four seasons. It is a real shame she didn't get to play her full four years because of that knee injury. We'll miss her, that's for sure," said Inman.

Junior forward Susan Hatcher led EKU with 12 points, followed by sophomore guard Mikki Bond with 11 and junior center Candice Finley with 10.

On the season, Gearhart finished as the second-leading scorer in the OVC with her 19.6 per game average. Joining her in twin figures for EKU this season were Finley, who scored 12.7 points per game and who was the team's top rebounder at 5.6, and freshman forward Teresa McNair at 10.0 points per game.

Hatcher closed the year at 9.2 points per contest, followed by sophomore forward Zoey Artist at 9.1 and Bond at 7.1 points per game.

Eastern placed fifth in the final OVC standings with its 10-8 league record.