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RICHMOND, Ky. – Senior Mike Rose recorded his third career double-double to lead the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball to a 78-75 victory over UT Martin on Saturday night in McBrayer Arena. With the win, the Colonels improve to 5-3 (1-1 OVC) while the Skyhawks drop to 2-5 (0-2 OVC).

The Colonels responded from a cold night on Thursday by shooting 49 percent (27-of-55) from the field and 45 percent (14-of-31) from behind the three-point arc.

Four Colonels scored in double digits in the game. After being held to two points on Thursday night, Rose led all players with 24 points and 11 rebounds. This marked the fifth time this season Rose has scored at least 20 points. Sophomore Justin Stommes scored 17 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting and junior Papa Oppong added 11 points and four rebounds. Junior Josh Taylor came off the bench to chip in with 10 points.

Senior Lester Hudson led UT Martin with 22 points, 13 of which came in the second half. He also recorded seven rebounds. Sophomore Marquis Weddle added 16 points, but just three in the second half.

The Colonels came out hot as they connected on eight of their first nine field goal attempts, including a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range, to take an early 21-13 advantage. Five straight points by Hudson, UT Martin’s leading scorer brought the Skyhawks to within one, 24-23, with 9:13 remaining in the first half.

A three-pointer by UTM’s Weddle with 3:50 showing on the clock gave the Skyhawks a 33-30 advantage, their first lead since the 15:45 point of the first half. A three by Stommes – his third of the half – knotted the score with just over two minutes remaining. The shoot-out continued as Hudson drained a three-pointer from the top of the key on UT Martin’s ensuing possession, followed by a three by Rose from the corner to tie it. Rose then stole a pass and hit a lay-up in transition to send the Colonels into the locker room up 38-37 at halftime.

The Colonels shot 56 percent in the first half, including 64 percent from behind the arc. However, the Colonels were outrebounded by the Skyhawks in the first stanza, 16-8.

Stommes opened the second half with four quick points – two of them on a thunderous, one-handed dunk in the lane – to get the Colonels out to a 44-41 lead with 17:20 remaining in the game. An Oppong lay-up and two consecutive threes by Rose expanded EKU’s lead to 52-41 with just over 15 minutes showing on the clock.

The Skyhawks responded with seven straight points to slash EKU’s lead to four, 52-48, at the 11:50 mark of the second half. Freshman Joshua Jones ended the run with a trifecta from the top of the key to put the Colonels up by seven. Following a Hudson jumper that brought UT Martin back to within five, Jones connected on another three-pointer from the same spot that ballooned EKU’s lead back to eight.

A layup by Hudson with just under three minutes remaining pulled the Skyhawks to within five, 73-68. Following a Stommes jumper, Skyhawk junior Eric Massey converted a three-point play to cut the Colonels’ lead to four. With 27 seconds left, Hudson was fouled shooting a three-pointer. After missing the first free throw, he hit the remaining two to bring the Skyhawks to within two points, 75-73.

Seven seconds ticked off before Rose was fouled at the other end of the court. He sank both free throws to give EKU a four point cushion. Hudson then missed a floater in the lane. Rose gathered the rebound, was fouled again and hit one free throw, putting the Colonels up 78-73. UT Martin sophomore Benzor Simmons connected on a putback on the other end of the floor and was fouled with 2.3 seconds remaining in the game. After he missed the free throw, a double lane violation was called, resulting in a jump ball and the ball to UT Martin. Hudson then missed a three point attempt at the buzzer.

The Colonels return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 9, when they welcome non-conference opponent Covenant College to McBrayer Arena. Tip time is slated for 7 p.m.