RICHMOND, Ky. - Coach Larry Joe Inman's Eastern Kentucky University Lady Colonel basketball team ended its 1998-99 season with a hard-fought 102-87 loss at UT Martin in the opening round of the Ohio Valley Conference post-season tournament earlier this week.

EKU lost its eighth straight game of the season, but not without putting up quite a struggle against a strong UT Martin team. The Lady Colonels, who finished 11-16 overall and in sixth place in the conference with an 8-10 record, hit 47.9 percent from the field, but could never really threaten the Skyhawks who hit an amazing 64.8 percent for the game.

"We finally shot the ball decently," Inman said. "If we had shot the ball like we did against UT Martin, we would have probably won some of those last seven games.

"We didn't win on the scoreboard, but I thought we came out winners tonight by the great effort we had," Inman continued. "This was a great way to end the season by giving it all we had. We should be able to build on this kind of effort for next season.

"We're excited about next season and already hitting the recruiting trails, trying to replace our seniors. We signed three in the early signing period last November and will, hopefully, add some more signees in April," he added as he turned his thoughts to the 1999-2000 season, his 12^th at the helm of the Lady Colonel program.

Sophomore forward Charlotte Sizemore put the crowning touch on an outstanding second season at EKU by leading the Lady Colonels in the finale against UTM with 27 points, hitting 10-21 shots from the field and all six free throw attempts. She also collected two rebounds, three assists, one blocked shot and four steals.

Senior forward Shannon Browning and sophomore Larrya Wall each scored 14 vs. the Skyhawks, while freshman guard Mikki Bond added 10 points. Senior center Jennifer King was able to contribute six points and seven rebounds.

Sizemore led Eastern in scoring for the season with her 17.6 per game average. Junior guard Marla Gearhart, who was injured in the Louisville game in December and only played eight games this season, was next with her 14.2 points per game mark.

King averaged 8.3 points and led the Lady Colonels in rebounding with her 7.6 per game average. Bond scored 7.9 per game, followed by sophomore center Candice Finley at 7.8 and Browning at 6.5.

Rounding out EKU regulars this season were freshman guard Zoey Artist at 5.3, senior center Cathy Dues at 5.0, Wall at 4.2 and sophomore forward Susan Hatcher at 3.4.

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