RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team picked up its third win of the week and ended Tennessee Tech's eight-game winning streak with an exciting 92-90 double overtime victory Saturday night in McBrayer Arena. The Colonels improve to 13-9 overall and 8-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference while the Golden Eagles fall to 14-10 and 10-5.
The contest featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes with Tennessee Tech missing a chance to win at the end of regulation and EKU returning the favor at the end of the first overtime.
At the start of the second extra session, the Colonels recorded the first seven points to establish an 89-82 cushion with 1:17 showing on the clock. However, the Golden Eagles capitalized on a pair of free throws, an EKU turnover and a Belton Rivers bucket all in 10 seconds to close the gap back to three points, 89-86.
Eastern missed a chance to stretch the lead on its ensuing possession, but sophomore Mike Rose came away with a steal following the TTU defensive rebound. The Golden Eagles were forced to foul Rose and he converted 1-of-2 free throws to make the score, 90-86. Tennessee Tech's Anthony Fisher quickly responded with a lay-in to cut the deficit to two points, 90-88, with 23 seconds remaining.
Following another Golden Eagle foul, senior Julian Mascoll made just 1-of-2 free throws allowing Tech a chance to tie on its final possession. Tennessee Tech would not get off a shot as Rose forced a turnover with 11 seconds left. Freshman Josh Taylor then netted a free throw to push the Colonel advantage back to four points, 92-88. The Golden Eagles tallied a tip-in bucket with :00.7 showing on the clock, but could not force a turnover on the ensuing inbounds play enabling Eastern to record its first double-overtime victory since Jan. 24, 2004 at Samford.
EKU was up by five points, 74-69, with 50 seconds left in regulation before a Fisher three-pointer and Francis Kabore lay-up leveled the score with 31 ticks showing. The Colonels turned the ball over with seven seconds left allowing the Golden Eagles the first shot at the win. Tennessee Tech attempted two shots, including a jumper at the buzzer, but neither shot would fall.
In the first overtime, senior Michael Brock evened the score at 82-all thanks to an uncontested lay-in with 10 seconds left. The Golden Eagles were whistled for a traveling violation at mid-court on their next possession, turning the ball back over to EKU for one more offensive possession with five seconds remaining. The Colonels ran a play for Mascoll only to see his jumper leave his hands after time had expired.
Rose and freshman Adam Leonard each tallied 20 points to pace the Colonels while Mascoll notched 17 points and a game-high six assists. As a team, Eastern shot 50 percent (30-fo-60) from the floor including 54.5 percent (6-of-11) in the extra sessions.
Fisher led five TTU players in double figures with 19 points. Amadi McKenzie earned his fifth double-double of the year with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Tennessee Tech outrebounded the Colonels, 51-32, while picking up 21 offensive boards. The Golden Eagles also missed 14 free throws on the evening as they finished 13-of-27 (48.1 percent) at the charity stripe.
Eastern will next begin a two-game road trip on Thursday, Feb. 8, at Murray State. Game time is slated for 8:30 p.m.
