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MURRAY, Ky. – Host Murray State was able to keep its perfect record intact, but barely as the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team fought to the last seconds in a 76-67 decision for the No. 18/19 Racers Wednesday night in the CFSB Center.

Murray State moves to 15-0 overall and 3-0 in Ohio Valley Conference action while the Colonels fall to 9-7 and 3-1.

The Racers shot a blistering 64 percent from the floor in the opening half to take a 44-33 lead into halftime.

EKU’s defense turned up the pressure in the second half, as the Colonels held Murray State to just 10 points in the first 13 minutes. A jumper in the lane from senior Jaron Jones cut the deficit, which was as large as 15 in the first half, to just two points (54-52) with 6:25 left.

Junior Mike DiNunno’s floater then put the Colonels to within one point, 55-54, with 4:49 remaining.

However, the turning point in the game came seconds later when Murray State’s Ed Daniel stole the ball from DiNunno and proceeded to force a flagrant foul on the breakaway. The Colonels, who had the chance to tie the ball game on that possession, suddenly found themselves down six points following a Daniel free throw and Donte Poole lay-up.

Eastern still had the opportunity to claw to within one point with less than two minutes left, but senior Joshua Jones missed an open three-point attempt from the right wing.

The Racers sealed their seventh straight victory over the Colonels by netting nine free throws in the final 70 seconds.

Jaron Jones paced EKU with 23 points on 66.7 percent (8-of-12) shooting from the floor. Junior #D’Mitri Riggs chipped in with 16 tallies while freshman Eric Stutz# hauled in a team season-high 12 rebounds.

The Colonels struggled shooting the three-point ball all night as they made only 4-of-17 (23.5 percent) attempts, including 2-of-11 (18.2 percent) in the final 20 minutes.

Four players finished in double figures for Murray State led by Poole’s 22 points. Isaiah Canaan and Daniel each added 16 points. The Racers forced 13 EKU turnovers and proceeded to score 24 points off the Colonel mistakes.

Eastern Kentucky now returns home to take on Southeast Missouri this Saturday, Jan. 7. Game time is set for 7 p.m.