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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team overcame a 13-0 deficit to begin the game and defeated OVC rival Morehead State Wednesday night in McBrayer Arena, 74-70. Senior Mike Rose led all scorers with 30 points.

After trailing the entire first half, EKU (17-10, 10-6 OVC) committed just one turnover and shot 61 percent (17-of-28) from the field in the second half to defeat MSU (16-12, 12-4 OVC), the first place team in the conference.

This was the fourth time this season Rose has reached the 30-point plateau. The Naperville, Ill., native shot 4-of-6 from three-point range and connected on four crucial free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Freshman Joshua Jones contributed with 12 points while sophomore Justin Stommes scored all 10 of his points in the second half.

Morehead State’s Kenneth Faried recorded his 18th double-double of the season with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Leon Buchanan also recorded a double-double with 25 points and a season-high 10 rebounds.

After Morehead State jumped out to a 13-0 lead, the Colonels responded with a 13-3 run – sparked by three Rose three-pointers – to cut the deficit to three with 9:40 left in the first half.

Morehead State responded with six straight points to take an eight-point advantage, but consecutive three-pointers by Jones and junior Robin Mestdagh followed by a driving dunk from Rose brought the Colonels to within two, 28-26, late in the first half. A put-back dunk by Faried on the opposite end sent Morehead State into the break up four, 30-26.

Rose led all players at intermission with 14 points as the senior connected on 3-of-4 from deep.

Faried paced Morehead State with 13 points and eight rebounds at halftime while Buchanan chipped in with 12 points.

After a three by Demonte Harper pushed Morehead State’s advantage to seven, 35-28, early in the second half, a Jones three-pointer from the corner and a slashing dunk by Stommes cut the lead to two. A bucket in the paint by Rose at the 14:32 mark tied the game for the first time, 37-37. A Rose lay-up two minutes later gave the Colonels their first lead, 40-39.

A series of eight lead changes ensued before a baseline dunk by Rose with 1:35 showing on the clock gave EKU a seven-point lead, 66-59. A missed free throw by Harper with 30 seconds left resulted in a Faried offensive rebound and an opportunity for a three-point play. However, Faried missed the free throw and Stommes dunked the ball on the resulting fast break to seal the victory.

EKU returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 21 with the regular season home finale against Ohio University. Tip time is slated for 7 p.m.