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RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Mike DiNunno missed a pair of free throws in the final minute of regulation which allowed visiting UT Martin to tie the game, but he redeemed himself with six straight points during a key stretch in double-overtime to lead the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team to a thrilling 86-78 victory over the Skyhawks Thursday night in McBrayer Arena.

UTM (3-17, 0-7 OVC) led most of the first overtime, but senior Joshua Jones knocked down a clutch three-pointer from the top of the key with six seconds on the clock to tie the game at 71 and send the contest into double-overtime.

Sophomore Jeff Johnson then opened the second extra session with a three-pointer – his first in EKU’s last nine games – to give the Colonels a lead they would not relinquish. DiNunno, who had just two points heading into double-overtime, took over in the final five minutes, knocking down three straight field goals, the last of which came with under a minute to play and gave the Colonels a two-possession lead, 80-76.

With the win, EKU (11-9, 5-3 OVC) snapped a two-game conference losing streak and improves to 6-4 in overtime games under head coach Jeff Neubauer. It was the Colonels’ first double-overtime game since 2007.

Senior Jaron Jones paced EKU with 20 points, thanks in part by connecting on 9-of-10 free throws, including two with 12 seconds to play that sealed the win. Meanwhile, freshman Eric Stutz scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half.

UTM was led by Mike Liabo, who finished the marathon contest with a game-high 23 points. Myles Taylor recorded his third double-double for the Skyhawks with 15 points and 12 boards.

The Colonels led at halftime by 11 points, 37-26, but did not score the first five-plus minutes of the second half. UT Martin took its first lead since early in the first half at 45-44 following consecutive three-point plays by Troy King and Corderio Maclin with 11:34 showing on the clock.

There were four lead changes and two ties over the next eight minutes, as a three-pointer from the corner by Joshua Jones made it 57-57 with a little less than four minutes to play. The Colonels held a slim one-point advantage, 59-58, with 43 seconds remaining when Jones hit another three-pointer from the same corner to make it a two-possession game and give EKU some breathing room.

Liabo scored on UTM’s next possession, however, and DiNunno missed a pair of free throws, allowing Omari Minor to tie the score at 62-62 with a put-back with 11 seconds on the clock. A potential game-winning shot by Stutz just missed, sending the game into the first overtime.

EKU returns to action Sunday afternoon when the Colonels host non-conference foe Longwood at 2 p.m. Sunday’s game is Colonel FAITHful Day, meaning free admission for the entire family if you present a church bulletin at the ticket window.