RICHMOND, Ky. – Sophomore guard Mike Rose nailed a long-range three-pointer as time expired in regulation to force overtime as the Eastern Kentucky men's basketball team edged conference rival Murray State Thursday night in McBrayer Arena, 72-66. The Colonels (6-2, 1-0 OVC) earned their first Ohio Valley Conference win of the year while the Racers (3-7, 1-1) fall to 0-5 in road games.

Rose finished with a game-high 24 points, his third 20-point performance of the season, while going 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) from behind the arc. Senior Julian Mascoll (16 points) and junior Jamaal Douglas (11) each chipped in with double figures. Meanwhile, senior Michael Brock hauled in 10 rebounds, his third double-digit rebound game of the year.

For Murray State, forward Shawn Witherspoon paced the squad in both points (18) and rebounds (six). Two other Racers tallied double-figure points – Tyler Holloway (16) and Bruce Carter (14).

Eastern Kentucky trailed throughout the early goings of the contest and by as many as 12 points early in the second half, but a driving lay-up by freshman Adam Leonard put the Colonels on top with 6:35 remaining in regulation, 50-48. The home team stretched its lead to five, 53-48, only to see Murray State slowly chip away at the deficit. With 11 ticks left, Carter hit a turn-around jumper to give the Racers the advantage once again, 56-55. Following a missed jumper by Leonard, Holloway netted two free throws with :03 remaining to make the score, 58-55.

After an Eastern time out, Mascoll inbounded the ball to freshman Josh Taylor at midcourt who then found Rose on the right wing. Rose spun around and threw up a desperation three-pointer which found the bottom of the net, forcing overtime for the first time since the 2005-06 season opener against Wisconsin.

In the extra session, a Rose three-pointer from the left corner put the Colonels ahead for good, 63-60. Douglas then came away with a key block inside of two minutes to keep EKU in front by two points. Murray State had two other chances to tie or regain the lead before the Colonels made 6-of-8 (75 percent) free throw attempts down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Murray State took a 33-23 lead into halftime thanks in large part to 10 Eastern Kentucky turnovers. The Colonels also went the final 11 minutes of the opening half without making a field goal.

Eastern Kentucky is right back in action on Saturday, Dec. 9, in a home OVC game against Austin Peay. The two teams split the season series a year ago with each squad winning on its home court. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.