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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Host Tennessee State outlasted the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team in double-overtime Saturday night in the Gentry Center, 91-85. Junior Mike DiNunno led the Colonels with a career-high 33 points.

With the win, Tennessee State improves to 13-10 overall and 6-4 in OVC action. The Colonels fall to 12-11 and 5-5.

In a game that featured 16 ties and 19 lead changes, Eastern had the chance to win the game in regulation. DiNunno hit one of his seven three-pointers to put the Colonels ahead by three, 70-67, with 58 seconds left. Tennessee State capitalized on its free throws and a questionable EKU turnover to level the game at 70-all with 34 ticks remaining.

Eastern Kentucky held the ball for a final shot, only to see senior Jaron Jones’ tightly contested mid-range jumper miss the mark as the horn sounded.

The Colonels never led in either overtime session. Jones calmly swished two free throws with five seconds left in the first overtime to make the score 77-all and force another extra session.

In the second overtime, Tennessee State twice led by three only to see EKU claw back and tie the game on both occasions. A Jones jumper with 1:10 remaining tied the score for the final time at 85-all. The Tigers converted a lay-up on their next possession to go ahead, 87-85.

Eastern Kentucky then turned the ball over and TSU netted two free throws to stretch the lead to 89-85 with 28 seconds on the clock. The Colonels had two chances to slice into the deficit down the stretch, but could not make a shot.

Besides DiNunno’s 33 points, Jones equaled his personal best with 30 tallies. DiNunno’s seven three-pointers equaled a program single-game record. The junior guard made 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) shots from long range.

Robert Covington paced Tennessee State with 22 points and eight rebounds. Four other Tigers totaled at least 10 points.

Eastern Kentucky was whistled for 26 fouls on the evening which led to 35 TSU free throw attempts. The Tigers only committed 15 fouls.

The Colonels continue their three-game road swing on Thursday, Feb. 2 at Eastern Illinois. Game time is set for 8 p.m.