COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team netted a season-low three three-pointers and missed 17 free throws allowing host Tennessee Tech to earn a 75-53 win Thursday night in Eblen Center. The Golden Eagles (6-8, 2-3 OVC) broke a four-game losing skid while the Colonels (8-6, 3-3) have now dropped three straight contests.

Senior Julian Mascoll led the Colonels with 16 points on 75 percent (6-of-8) shooting, his 12th straight game shooting at least 50 percent from the field. Freshman Adam Leonard was the only other EKU player in double figures, scoring 13 points while hitting 2-of-8 three-pointers.

Four TTU players tallied at least 10 points, led by forward Amadi McKenzie's 16 points. McKenzie also hauled in a game-high seven rebounds. Belton Rivers added 15 points and six assists.

Tennessee Tech led from start to finish for its eighth straight home win over Eastern dating back to 1997-98. After Leonard connected on a three-pointer to level the game at 8-all, the Golden Eagles responded with the next five points and never looked back. With a little over five minutes left in the half, Leonard had the chance to even the score at 23, but missed the front end of a 1-and-1 situation. Tennessee Tech then put together a 13-3 run to end the half and took a 36-24 lead into intermission.

Eastern stepped up its defense early in the second half, forcing numerous TTU turnovers which led to a few EKU fast break opportunities. The Colonels would close the gap to six points, 41-35, but four missed free throws kept them from getting even closer. Tennessee Tech finally ended any thoughts of an Eastern Kentucky comeback by recording 12 of the next 13 points to establish a 53-36 cushion with 9:48 remaining.

The Colonels were 3-of-23 (13 percent) from behind the arc and only connected on one three-pointer in the final 34 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Eastern struggled at the free throw line, hitting just 14-of-31 (45.2 percent) attempts.

Eastern Kentucky has the weekend off to prepare for a home game against OVC rival Morehead State on Tuesday, Jan. 9. ESPNU will be covering the game live beginning at 7 p.m.