Click here for box score!
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team recorded its fifth straight win in exciting fashion Saturday evening with an 80-69 overtime triumph over Southeast Missouri. Sophomore
Adam Leonard netted a three-pointer with 0.7 seconds remaining in regulation to force the extra session. With the win, the Colonels (13-10, 10-5 OVC) earned a split of the season series against SEMO (12-14, 7-9).
After trailing the entire first half, Southeast Missouri ran off eight straight points early in the second stanza to go ahead, 36-32. The Redhawk lead grew to as many as seven points, 49-42, with eight minutes left before Eastern Kentucky battled back to within two points on three occasions.
Forced to foul in the final minute, EKU sent Kenard Moore to the free throw line with 23 ticks left only to watch Moore drain both attempts to give Southeast Missouri a four-point cushion, 59-55. Leonard, who had been 1-of-11 (9.1 percent) from the floor, responded with a three-pointer to help the Colonels creep within one point with nine seconds remaining.
After Moore hit two more free throws to make the score, 61-58, Leonard raced down the left wing and drained another three-pointer right before the buzzer to force overtime.
In the extra session, Leonard hit his third straight trifecta on Eastern's first possession to give the home squad the lead, 64-61. The Colonels never trailed in overtime as a
Mike Rose three-pointer capped a 9-0 run to stretch the EKU advantage to 75-65. Eastern netted 9-of-10 (90 percent) free throws in overtime to hold off the Redhawks.
Eastern Kentucky earned the win even though the Colonels shot a season-low 25.7 percent (9-of-35) from three-point range. Rose tallied his second career double-double with 25 points and a personal-high 11 rebounds. Leonard and senior
Darnell Dialls combined for 34 points while senior
Jamaal Douglas chipped in with 10 points and seven boards off the bench.
For Southeast Missouri, Michael Rembert recorded his second double-double of the year – 17 points and 19 rebounds. Roderick Pearson added 16 points on 66.7 percent (6-of-9) shooting.
Eastern Kentucky hits the road for the annual Alabama road trip next weekend. First up will be Jacksonville State on Thursday, Feb. 14. The Colonels have won four straight road games.
