Eastern Kentucky Tops Central Arkansas in Overtime Thriller
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Baptist Health Arena
Eastern Kentucky Colonels 79, Central Arkansas Bears 75, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Central Arkansas Bears vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels?
Eastern Kentucky Colonels beat Central Arkansas Bears 79-75 at Baptist Health Arena on January 10, 2026.
Who was favored in Central Arkansas Bears vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels?
Central Arkansas Bears were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The underdog won.
In a gripping overtime contest, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels edged out the Central Arkansas Bears with a final score of 79-75 at the Baptist Health Arena. This victory marked an important win for the Colonels, who improved their record to 7-11, while the Bears fell to 7-11 as well. The match was characterized by a back-and-forth battle, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities.
The Colonels entered the game with a recent form of 4-6 over their last ten games, including a win against the North Alabama Lions just a day prior, where they scored 88 points. Their scoring average in the last ten games stood at 78.6 points per game while allowing 78.3 points. In contrast, the Bears had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games, with their most recent outing resulting in a loss to the Bellarmine Knights, where they scored 78 points. The Bears averaged 80.3 points scored and allowed 73.1 points during this stretch.
At home, the Colonels had a record of 2-2 in their last four games, while the Bears struggled on the road, holding a 0-5 record in their last five away games. This fixture was particularly interesting as it was a rematch from earlier in the season when the Colonels defeated the Bears 89-83 in a previous meeting on January 3, 2025.
In terms of injuries, there were no specific details provided in the block regarding player availability, but both teams were expected to field their best lineups for this crucial matchup. The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Bears favored by 1.5 points, with the total set at 156.5 points. The moneyline odds were -105 for the Colonels and -115 for the Bears, indicating a closely contested game.
The conditions in the arena were conducive to an exciting game, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths. Viewers were treated to a thrilling overtime period, where the scoring plays were intense. Camren Hunter made a significant impact for the Bears, scoring a series of crucial baskets, including a 7-foot jumper and a turnaround jump shot that put Central Arkansas ahead momentarily in overtime. However, the Colonels responded with key plays from Austin Ball and Turner Buttry, who hit important three-pointers to regain the lead.
Ultimately, it was Juan Cranford Jr. who sealed the victory for Eastern Kentucky by converting two free throws in the closing moments of overtime. The Colonels' ability to execute under pressure and their resilience in overcoming the Bears' challenges were on full display, making this game a noteworthy highlight in their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CARK -1.5 | 156.5 o -115 / u -105 | Central Arkansas Bears -115 · Eastern Kentucky Colonels -105 |
Leaders
- PointsJuan Cranford Jr.20Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- AssistsTurner Buttry4Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- ReboundsJalen Cooper8Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- PointsCamren Hunter25Central Arkansas Bears
- AssistsCamren Hunter4Central Arkansas Bears
- ReboundsTy Robinson10Central Arkansas Bears
Recent form
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Last 10: 4-6Streak W178.6 scored · 78.3 allowed per game2-2 at home
- W88-80vs North Alabama LionsJan 9
- L76-88at West Georgia WolvesJan 3
- L89-91at Queens University RoyalsJan 2
- L57-88at Wichita State ShockersDec 21
- W62-59at Jacksonville State GamecocksDec 18
- L69-79vs Miami (OH) RedHawksDec 13
- W68-59at Eastern Illinois PanthersDec 11
- W122-67vs IU East IU EASTDec 6
- L78-89at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 4
- L77-83vs Wofford TerriersNov 29
Central Arkansas Bears
Last 10: 5-5Streak L180.3 scored · 73.1 allowed per game0-5 away
- L78-84at Bellarmine KnightsJan 9
- W93-73vs Stetson HattersJan 3
- W85-83vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesJan 1
- L82-99at SMU MustangsDec 21
- W102-47vs Kansas Christian FalconsDec 17
- L72-83at Vanderbilt CommodoresDec 13
- L68-75at East Texas A&M LionsDec 7
- W85-47vs Little Rock TrojansDec 4
- L57-80at East Tennessee State BuccaneersNov 29
- W81-60vs Eastern Illinois PanthersNov 26
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | Central Arkansas Bears | Eastern Kentucky Colonels |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-63 | 28-64 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 10-33 | 19-45 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 42 |
| Free throws | 11-15 | 4-7 |
| Free throw % | 73 | 57 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 25 |
| Assists | 16 | 18 |
| Steals | 9 | 7 |
| Blocks | 0 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 19 |
| Fast-break points | 15 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 18 |
| Fouls | 14 | 15 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 11 | 11 |
| Time in front | 35 | 52 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half37-35Harry Beauchamp makes 27-foot three point jumper (Tyler Lee assists)
- 1st Half37-38Juan Cranford Jr. makes 27-foot three point jumper (Turner Buttry assists)
- 1st Half37-40Yvens Paul makes 2-foot dunk (Austin Ball assists)
- 2nd Half39-40Camren Hunter makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half39-43Jackson Holt makes 24-foot three point jumper (Juan Cranford Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half41-43Camren Hunter makes layup (Javion Guy-King assists)
- 2nd Half43-43Ty Robinson makes layup (Luke Moore assists)
- 2nd Half45-43Ty Robinson makes layup
- 2nd Half45-45Montavious Myrick makes layup
- 2nd Half45-48Turner Buttry makes 26-foot three point jumper (Yvens Paul assists)
- 2nd Half47-48Ty Robinson makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half48-48Ty Robinson makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half48-51Juan Cranford Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jackson Holt assists)
- 2nd Half51-51Truman Byrne makes 25-foot three point jumper (Luke Moore assists)
- 2nd Half51-53Asa White makes 5-foot turnaround jump shot (MJ Williams assists)
- 2nd Half53-53Luke Moore makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-56MJ Williams makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-59Austin Ball makes 25-foot three point jumper (MJ Williams assists)
- 2nd Half53-61Jalen Cooper makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half53-62Asa White makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-62Luke Moore makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-62Cole McCormick makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-62Cole McCormick makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-62Luke Moore makes 25-foot three point jumper (Truman Byrne assists)
- 2nd Half60-65Turner Buttry makes 24-foot three point jumper (Juan Cranford Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half60-67Yvens Paul makes 0-foot dunk (Juan Cranford Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half63-67Luke Moore makes 23-foot three point jumper (Camren Hunter assists)
- 2nd Half65-67Malchiah Marable makes 8-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half65-69Montavious Myrick makes layup (Jackson Holt assists)
- 2nd Half66-69Camren Hunter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-69Camren Hunter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-69Camren Hunter makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- OT71-69Camren Hunter makes 7-foot jumper
- OT71-71Austin Ball makes layup
- OT73-71Camren Hunter makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- OT75-71Camren Hunter makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot (Malchiah Marable assists)
- OT75-74Austin Ball makes 24-foot three point jumper
- OT75-77Turner Buttry makes 25-foot three point jumper
- OT75-78Juan Cranford Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT75-79Juan Cranford Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Eastern Kentucky Colonels, below favours Central Arkansas Bears.
Venue
- Baptist Health ArenaRichmond, KY
- Attendance1171
- OfficialsKevin Driver, James Gibson, Drew Ransdell
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