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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team used clutch three-point shooting in the second half to hold off a hard-charging Austin Peay team, 76-71, Monday night in McBrayer Arena. It was the Colonels’ 16th straight home-court victory.

After APSU (8-8, 2-2 OVC) reduced a 17-point halftime deficit to four with 2:32 remaining in the game, senior Josh Taylor connected on a three-pointer from the top of the key on the ensuing Eastern (10-5, 3-1 OVC) possession to push the Colonels’ lead to seven.

The Governors would get no closer than five the rest of the way as senior Papa Oppong and sophomore Joshua Jones converted free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Taylor led EKU with 19 points and eight rebounds. After shooting 2-of-3 from three-point range in the first half, the senior was 0-for-5 from behind the arc in the second half until his game-turning three-pointer with just over two minutes left in the game.

Oppong and Jones contributed with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Senior Dayvon Ellis came off the bench to score a career-high 12 points to go along with five assists and no turnovers.

The Colonels shot 47.2 percent from the field (25-of-53) and 44.4 percent (12-of-27) from deep for the game.

Anthony Campbell paced APSU with 22 points while Wes Channels scored 17 points. Marcel Williams came off the bench to lead the Governors with 11 rebounds.

APSU connected on only 1-of-15 (6.7 percent) three-pointers on the night.

EKU jumped out to an early seven point lead thanks to consecutive three-pointers from opposite corners by Taylor and Ellis. Freshman Willie Cruz then recorded a block on the defensive end and scored on the ensuing possession to give the Colonels a 14-5 advantage at the 14:22 mark of the first half.

After the Governors clawed to within eight, 24-16, with 7:18 showing on the clock, Taylor, Oppong and junior Justin Stommes all dialed in from long range over the next four minutes to expand EKU’s lead to 14, 34-20.

The Colonels continued to pile it on late in the half as Oppong sank another three-pointer before two Stommes free throws sent EKU into the locker room at halftime up 41-24.

Oppong led all scorers at the break with 10 points. EKU finished the first half shooting 50 percent from the field (15-of-30) and three-point range (7-of-14).

John Fraley paced APSU with nine points at halftime.

The Governors quickly reduced its halftime deficit to six, 41-35, thanks to an 11-0 run to begin the second half. Campbell poured in seven points during that stretch.

Cruz finally stopped the bleeding with a three from the corner that made it 44-35 with 17:33 showing on the clock.

The Governors pulled to within seven numerous times over the next 10 minutes; however, every time they did, the Colonels responded with a three-pointer. Ellis provided one of those crucial threes while Jones knocked down two more. Jones’ second trifecta gave EKU a 63-52 lead with 7:27 remaining in the game.

Two free throws by Caleb Brown brought the Governors to within six, 67-61, with 3:02 left to play. A slashing layup by Brown on APSU’s next possession made it a four point game.

Taylor, however, responded with a three-pointer from the top of the key on the ensuing possession to make it 70-63 with 2:08 on the clock.

The Colonels return to action on Thursday, Jan. 7 when they travel to Jacksonville State to take on the Gamecocks at 6:30 p.m.