MURRAY, Ky.-- Murray State's Justin Orr and Trey Pearson each hit a free throw in the last 1:20 of overtime to lead the Racers to a thrilling 80-78 victory over coach Travis Ford's Eastern Kentucky Colonels Saturday night.

MSU's Keith Jenifer drove the lane and was fouled with 0.3 seconds left in regulation and then hit two free throws to send the game into overtime, 73-73.

"This was two very good basketball teams, playing very hard and both wanting to win," said Ford. "We have to make our free throws and quit making key turnovers if we expect to win games like this.

"Murray State never stopped playing. You have to give them credit. We're leaving the gym with our heads held high, but this was a tough loss and we're very disappointed we didn't win the game."

MSU, now 7-5 and 2-0 in the league, led 39-33 at the break, but the Colonels, on the strength of the inside play of junior center Alonzo Hird, fought back and grabbed a five-point lead with 2:42 remaining.

But the pressing defense of the Racers forced turnovers that enabled Eastern to lose its lead.

In overtime, MSU led 78-75 before Matt Witt tied the game, 78-78, with 1:50 left in the extra period. As it turned out, that was the last point the Colonels scored in the game.

All five starters for the Colonels hit double figures in scoring, led by Witt's 18. Hird and junior guard Zach Ingles each scored 16, while junior guard Jason McLeish had 11 and senior forward Michael Haney scored 10 points and had a game-high 11 rebounds.

Eastern, now 9-4 overall and 1-1 in the OVC, hit 54.0 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle, 40-33, yet made 17 costly turnovers.

Pearson had 24 points to pace Murray State, while Issian Redding notched 17 and Shawn Witherspoon had 16.

Eastern plays at Austin Peay Thursday night (Jan. 13) at 8:30 p.m. EST.