Eastern Kentucky Tops North Alabama in Close Contest
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Baptist Health Arena
Eastern Kentucky Colonels 88, North Alabama Lions 80, 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 North Alabama Lions vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels?
Eastern Kentucky Colonels beat North Alabama Lions 88-80 at Baptist Health Arena on January 8, 2026.
Who was favored in North Alabama Lions vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels?
Eastern Kentucky Colonels were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -250 (about 71% implied). The favorite won.
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels secured a hard-fought victory over the North Alabama Lions, finishing the game with a score of 88 to 80. This matchup, held at Baptist Health Arena, was notable not only for the close final score but also for the contrasting recent forms of both teams. Eastern Kentucky entered the game with a home record of 5-11 and had struggled recently, posting a record of 3-7 in their last ten games, including a three-game losing streak. They averaged 76.9 points scored per game while allowing 78.5 points. In their last five games, the Colonels averaged 70.6 points scored and 81.0 points allowed, indicating defensive vulnerabilities that could be exploited by opponents.
North Alabama, on the other hand, had a slightly better away record of 5-9 but was also on a downward trajectory, having lost their last four games. Their recent form showed a record of 3-7 in the last ten, with an average of 66.1 points scored and 72.0 points allowed. In their last five games, they averaged 60.8 points scored and 72.8 points allowed, highlighting their struggles to find offensive rhythm.
In terms of home and away performances, Eastern Kentucky had a home record of 1-2 in their last three games, while North Alabama had a 1-3 record in their last four away games. This fixture was significant as it was a chance for both teams to break out of their recent slumps.
The previous meeting between these two teams took place on January 4, 2025, where Eastern Kentucky lost to North Alabama, 67-88. This game was an opportunity for the Colonels to avenge that defeat, and they succeeded in doing so, marking their first win against the Lions in their head-to-head record, which now stands at 1-1.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the performance of both teams could have been influenced by the availability of key players. The market had priced Eastern Kentucky as the favorites with a spread of -5.5 according to DraftKings, indicating a belief that they would win by more than five points. The total for the game was set at 148.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.
The conditions in the arena were conducive to a competitive game, with both teams needing a win to bolster their standings. The scoring plays in the second half highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the contest, with key contributions from players like Turner Buttry, who made crucial free throws down the stretch to help secure the victory for the Colonels.
As the game progressed, Eastern Kentucky maintained a slight edge, with significant plays that kept North Alabama at bay. The final moments saw Donte Bacchus of North Alabama attempt to close the gap, but the Colonels' free throws sealed their win.
Overall, this matchup was a crucial one for both teams, and the outcome could have implications for their confidence moving forward in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | EKU -5.5 | 148.5 o -105 / u -115 | North Alabama Lions +205 · Eastern Kentucky Colonels -250 |
Leaders
- PointsTurner Buttry19Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- AssistsMJ Williams6Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- ReboundsJalen Cooper7Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- PointsCanin Jefferson24North Alabama Lions
- AssistsCanin Jefferson5North Alabama Lions
- ReboundsDonte Bacchus5North Alabama Lions
Recent form
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Last 10: 3-7Streak L376.9 scored · 78.5 allowed per game1-2 at home
- 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
- L71-82at Northern Kentucky NorseNov 25
North Alabama Lions
Last 10: 3-7Streak L466.1 scored · 72 allowed per game2-4 away
- L55-72vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesJan 3
- L67-70vs Stetson HattersJan 1
- L57-91at Loyola Marymount LionsDec 20
- L60-68at Alabama A&M BulldogsDec 16
- W65-63at San Francisco DonsDec 4
- W73-66at Jacksonville State GamecocksDec 2
- W92-60vs UT Southern FirehawksNov 25
- L57-71at Chattanooga MocsNov 22
- L61-81at Clemson TigersNov 18
- L74-78vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersNov 15
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 | North Alabama Lions | Eastern Kentucky Colonels |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-53 | 29-63 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 10-23 | 11-31 |
| Three-point % | 43 | 35 |
| Free throws | 14-25 | 19-23 |
| Free throw % | 56 | 83 |
| Rebounds | 27 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 23 |
| Assists | 11 | 18 |
| Steals | 6 | 6 |
| Blocks | 5 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 36 |
| Fouls | 17 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 15 | 81 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half50-50Donte Bacchus makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-50Canin Jefferson makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-52Asa White makes 2-foot jumper
- 2nd Half53-54MJ Williams makes 4-foot jumper (Juan Cranford Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half56-54Dallas Howell makes 23-foot three point jumper (Canin Jefferson assists)
- 2nd Half56-55Asa White makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-55Donte Bacchus makes layup (Braylon Patton assists)
- 2nd Half59-55Donte Bacchus makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half59-58Austin Ball makes 23-foot three point jumper (MJ Williams assists)
- 2nd Half59-60Austin Ball makes driving layup (MJ Williams assists)
- 2nd Half59-62Yvens Paul makes 3-foot dunk (MJ Williams assists)
- 2nd Half60-62Canin Jefferson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-62Canin Jefferson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-65Turner Buttry makes 25-foot three point jumper (MJ Williams assists)
- 2nd Half63-65Braylon Patton makes layup
- 2nd Half63-66Montavious Myrick makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-68Yvens Paul makes layup (Turner Buttry assists)
- 2nd Half63-69Turner Buttry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-70Turner Buttry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-70Jamal Albritton makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half66-70Canin Jefferson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-70Canin Jefferson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-73Turner Buttry makes 26-foot three point jumper (Austin Ball assists)
- 2nd Half68-73Canin Jefferson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-75Austin Ball makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-75Kedar Bodie makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-78Austin Ball makes 26-foot three point jumper (Turner Buttry assists)
- 2nd Half70-80Jalen Cooper makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half72-80Canin Jefferson makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half72-82Juan Cranford Jr. makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half74-82Corneilous Williams makes 11-foot jumper (Canin Jefferson assists)
- 2nd Half74-83Montavious Myrick makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-84Montavious Myrick makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-84Braylon Patton makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half76-85Turner Buttry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-86Turner Buttry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-86Donte Bacchus makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half78-87Turner Buttry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-88Turner Buttry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-88Donte Bacchus makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
Win probability
Above the line favours Eastern Kentucky Colonels, below favours North Alabama Lions.
Venue
- Baptist Health ArenaRichmond, KY
- Attendance791
- OfficialsWil Howard, Michael Wallace, Kyle Stewart
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond