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RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Joshua Jones poured in a season-high 21 points and converted a pair of clutch free throws with nine seconds on the clock as the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team held on to defeat Jacksonville State, 64-61, Thursday night in McBrayer Arena.

EKU (7-8, 2-3 OVC) took its largest lead over JSU (2-13, 0-4 OVC) with 13:03 left in the game, 48-37. The Gamecocks, however, slowly clawed back and cut the lead to one, 62-61, when Sean Thurston laid it in with 39 seconds on the clock. Jones was fouled on EKU’s ensuing possession and made both free throws, and Stephen Hall’s desperation three-pointer at the buzzer fell short allowing the Colonels to earn an important conference victory.

Jones’ 21 points were the second-most in his career. The veteran point guard also committed zero turnovers. Senior Justin Stommes knocked down three three-pointers to finish the night with 13 points, while three other Colonel starters – seniors Spencer Perrin and Josh Daniel and sophomore Willie Cruz – scored eight points apiece.

Nick Murphy led JSU with 20 points and Hall chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

EKU finished the night 22-of-49 (44.9 percent) from the field while Jacksonville State shot 25-of-55 (45.5 percent) from the field. It marked the first time this season the Colonels have won after being outshot by the opposition.

The first half was one of runs as Eastern connected on four early three-pointers to take an 18-12 lead at the 13:15 mark, only to watch the Gamecocks respond with a 7-0 run that gave the visitors their second lead of the half, 19-18, with 10:37 showing on the clock.

The Colonels retook the lead when Jones drained a three-pointer from the corner two minutes later. Jones then converted a three-point to play that gave EKU a 26-20 advantage with 7:23 left in the half. A baseline dunk and three-pointer by Stommes sparked a 7-2 run late in the half to send the Colonels into the locker room at halftime still leading by six, 35-29.

EKU increased its lead to 11, 48-37, seven minutes into the second half, but JSU fought back to pull within one, 62-61, with less than a minute to play.

The Colonels continue conference play Saturday night when they host Tennessee Tech at 7 p.m.