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CHICAGO, Ill. – Senior Mike Rose’s homecoming was a memorable one as the guard nailed the game-winning three-pointer with 2.3 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team to a 71-68 win over host Chicago State. With the win, the Colonels (11-8) handed Chicago State (10-9) its first home loss of the year (5-1).

After hitting the game-winning three-pointer at Southeast Missouri on Saturday, Rose again responded in the clutch. Chicago State used a late 15-4 run to pull ahead of Eastern, 68-65, with 1:11 left. Freshman Jorge Camacho’s tip-in on EKU’s ensuing possession kept the Colonels within a score of the lead, 68-67. Following a Chicago State missed jumper, Eastern Kentucky held the ball for one final shot.

The Cougar defense applied pressure on the ball, but sophomore Justin Stommes found Rose in the right corner for a three-point attempt. The native of Naperville, Ill., who had been 1-of-5 (20 percent) from behind the arc, netted the trifecta with 2.3 seconds left to push EKU back on top, 70-68. Freshman Joshua Jones then forced a turnover on the inbound pass and netted 1-of-2 free throws to clinch the victory.

Eastern Kentucky, specifically Stommes, opened the game on fire. The Colonels scored 16 of the first 20 points to build an early cushion. Stommes made two three-pointers and had a breakaway dunk in the first five minutes of the game.

The Colonel lead swelled to 13, 21-8, following a three-pointer from freshman Mike Lewis. However, Chicago State rallied with a 12-2 spurt to cut the deficit to one, 25-24.

Thanks to 59 percent shooting in the first half, Eastern was able to hold off Chicago State and take a 40-33 lead into intermission.

EKU rebuilt a double-digit lead six minutes into the second half following Rose’s first three-pointer to make the score, 51-39. After a Camacho bucket with 10:40 left, Eastern Kentucky suddenly went cold and would only make one basket in the next eight minutes.

Chicago State capitalized on the EKU misses and turnovers to claw back into the game and regain the lead with 3:12 left, 65-63.

Stommes tied a career-high with 19 points while draining 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) three-pointers. Camacho chipped in with a personal-best 14 points and a team-high seven boards. Rose finished with 10 points.

The Colonels held the nation’s third leading scorer, David Holston (26.4 ppg), to 15 points while making 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) three-pointers. John Cantrell led the Cougars with 20 points. Carl Montgomery tallied a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

This was the first meeting between the two schools since 1994. EKU is now 3-0 all-time against Chicago State.

The Colonels return to OVC action this Saturday, Jan. 24, at rival Morehead State. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.