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RICHMOND, Ky. – Ten different Colonels made a field goal Saturday night as the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team led from start to finish in a 77-69 victory over visiting UT Martin. The Colonels (4-4, 1-1 OVC) have now defeated the Skyhawks (2-6, 0-2) eight straight times in McBrayer Arena.

Early in the second half, senior Justin Stommes became the 30th EKU player to reach 1,000 career points when he made a leaning jumper to stretch the Colonel advantage to 42-24. Stommes posted a season-high 15 points to go along with three assists and three rebounds.

EKU dominated the first 20 minutes of action, holding UT Martin to 22 percent (4-of-18) shooting and building a 38-18 lead.

The Colonel advantage swelled to as many as 21, 52-31, thanks to a Stommes three-pointer with 12:46 left. From there, UT Martin rolled off 11 consecutive points to get right back into the contest.

A dunk by senior Spencer Perrin seemed to give EKU a comfortable 60-46 edge, but the Skyhawks put together another large run to close to within three points, 60-57. Benzor Simmons accounted for eight of UTM’s 11 points in that run to make the game a one possession contest with 4:12 remaining.

However, Eastern Kentucky would not let UT Martin get any closer. Perrin came through with a key three-pointer, his only one of the night, to put the Colonels back up by eight points, 65-57, less than a minute later. EKU netted 10 free throws in the final four minutes to hold off the Skyhawks.

Senior Josh Daniel led EKU with 17 points, marking the third straight game the guard has scored at least 10 points. Perrin added 15 tallies while sophomore Willie Cruz came off the bench to chip in with a team high six rebounds.

Simmons posted his first double-double of the year to pace UT Martin with 18 points and 11 boards. Mike Liabo also totaled 18 points for the Skyhawks.

Eastern concludes its six-game home stand on Wednesday, Dec. 8 with a non-conference game against Kentucky Christian.