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RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Justin Stommes’ three-pointer with 9.7 seconds remaining capped the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team’s 74-72 come-from-behind victory over UTSA Wednesday night in McBrayer Arena. The game was part of the 2009 O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic.

The Colonels (4-1) trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half before sophomore Joshua Jones’ three from the corner with 55 seconds left in the game gave EKU its first lead since 10:23 in the first half, 71-70.

Terry Fields knocked down a jumper on the ensuing possession to give UTSA (4-1) the lead again. However, Stommes drained his third three of the night from the top of the key with 9.7 seconds showing on the clock to give EKU a lead it would hold.

Stommes scored all 17 of his points in the second half on his way to leading Eastern in scoring for the second straight night. Jones (12), senior Papa Oppong (14) and junior Spencer Perrin (11) all scored in double digits as well. Senior Josh Taylor was a point away from his first career double-double as he poured in nine points while collecting a career-best 10 rebounds.

The Colonels had to overcome strong three-point shooting by the Roadrunners, who hit 54 percent (13-of-24) of their long range shots.

Omar Johnson and Devin Gibson led UTSA with 18 points apiece while going a combined 10-of-16 (62.5 percent) from deep.

EKU hit five of its first seven shots – including two three-pointers – to jump out to an early 12-6 lead. UTSA fought back to take its first lead of the game, 17-16, thanks to a baseline jumper by Fields with 10:23 showing on the clock. That also marked Eastern Kentucky’s first deficit of the three-game subregional.

A three-pointer from the wing by Morris Smith IV with 2:28 showing on the clock gave the Roadrunners their first double-digit lead of the game, 34-24. A layup by Josh Bonney with under a minute to play sent the Colonels into halftime down, 41-28.

Oppong paced EKU at the break with 11 points while Perrin chipped in with five points and three assists. The Colonels, however, shot only 17 percent (2-of-12) from behind the arc in the first half.

Gibson led UTSA at halftime with 11 points while Johnson poured in nine points. The Roadrunners shot a sizzling 54 percent (15-of-28) from the field and 57 percent (8-of-14) from three-point land.

With UTSA leading 48-33 four minutes into the second half, the Colonels reeled off 11 straight points to claw within four, 48-44, with 13:23 showing on the clock.

Two free throws by Taylor brought EKU to within two, 68-66, with a 1:59 remaining in the game. The Colonels would finally take the lead on Jones’ three-pointer one minute later.

This is the first time EKU has started 4-1 since the 2006-07 season.

The Colonels return to action on Saturday, Nov. 28, when they host FIU at McBrayer Arena at 7:00 p.m.

Game #6 - UC Irvine 75, Fairleigh Dickinson 54 (click here for box score)

UCI's Michael Hunter finished with 16 points on 66.7 percent (6-of-9) shooting from the floor in the Anteaters' victory. UC Irvine held a slight 39-35 lead at the break before limiting Fairleigh Dickinson to just 19 second half points. Sean Baptiste paced FDU in points (19) and rebounds (seven).

2009 O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic -- Richmond Subregional All-Tournament Team
Justin Stommes, Eastern Kentucky (MVP)
Josh Taylor, Eastern Kentucky
Devin Gibson, UTSA
Eric Wise, UC Irvine
Sean Baptiste, Fairleigh Dickinson