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MURRAY, Ky. – Junior Mike Rose hit the game-winning three-pointer with 3.9 seconds remaining in regulation as the Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team rallied for a 59-58 win at Murray State Wednesday night. The Colonels (4-4, 1-0 OVC) erased a 13-point deficit midway through the second half to defeat the Racers (3-3, 0-1) in the conference opener for both teams.

Eastern Kentucky hit 8-of-12 shots (66.7 percent) to open the game, helping the Colonels build an early 20-15 cushion. From there, the game turned into a defense struggle. The Colonels scored just four points in the final 10:40 of the half and Murray State's Bruce Carter connected on a baseline jumper right before intermission to give the Racers a 25-24 edge at the half.

Carter then came out on fire to begin the second half. The senior guard netted three consecutive three-pointers to push the Murray State advantage to eight points, 34-26. An Adam Leonard jumper a few minutes later cut the EKU deficit to four points, 36-32, but Murray State responded with an 11-2 run to stretch the lead to 13, 47-34, with 10:36 left.

Still trailing by 11 points with 5:23 remaining, the Colonels finally began their comeback. A Murray State indirect technical foul turned into a six-point swing for EKU. The Racers had a basket taken away due to the technical foul. Leonard then drained both free throw attempts and senior Darnell Dialls followed up with a dunk on Eastern's ensuing possession to bring the Colonels within seven points.

Senior Jamaal Douglas brought Eastern Kentucky to within five points, 56-51, thanks to a jumper with 2:10 left. The Racers missed a three-pointer on their next possession before Leonard connected on his only three-pointer to make the score, 56-54.

After the two squads traded free throws, Murray State had possession with 42 ticks left. The Colonels elected to play defense and the Racers missed another three-point attempt with 10 seconds remaining. Leonard pushed the ball up the court and found Rose on the left wing for an open three-pointer. Rose swished the shot to give EKU its first lead of the half.

The Racers had one final look at a three-pointer at the buzzer, but the shot went just long.

Dialls paced Eastern Kentucky with a season-best 20 points, 16 of which came in the second half, and seven rebounds. Leonard chipped in with 13 points in 39 minutes of action.

Carter led Murray State with 17 points on 70 percent (7-of-10) shooting. He was the only Racer to finish with double figures.

Eastern Kentucky has now defeated Murray State three straight times, the first time that has happened since 1985.

EKU returns home to face rival Western Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass on Saturday, Dec. 8. Game time is set for 7 p.m.