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Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Redshirt sophomore Deverin Muff made four free throws in the final 26 seconds to send Eastern Kentucky to a 71-69 victory over Towson in the Comfort Suites Invitational at McBrayer Arena.

The Colonels are 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season, a campaign that began with five straight wins and ended with the program’s sixth NCAA tournament appearance.

Eastern used a 22-9 run midway through the game to turn a three-point deficit into a 10-point advantage with 16:20 left in the game.  The Colonels still led by 10, 48-38, at the 12:34 mark.  However, the Tigers answered with a 16-5 run that ultimately put the visitors ahead 54-53 with 2:46 to go.  Rafriel Guthrie’s jumper capped the run.

EKU scored five straight, and appeared to be back in control after Jeff Johnson nailed a three-pointer for a 58-54 lead with 1:39 showing on the clock.  Towson drew to within two on a pair of free throws and had a chance to take the lead with 23 seconds remaining when Mike Burwell was fouled while attempting a trey.  Burwell missed the first and then tied the score by knocking down the next two.  Mike DiNunno’s jumper from 16-feet missed as time expired in regulation.

After more than four minutes of overtime, the score was still tied.  Corey Walden made it 67-67 with his jumper with 49 seconds to play.  On Towson’s ensuing possession, Walden came up with a steal but was fouled hard in the process and had to leave the game.  Muff took his place at the line and made two free throws with 26 seconds on the clock.  Marcus Damas answered on the other end to tie the game for the 10th time, 69-69, with 10.6 seconds to go. 

Muff attempted a shot in the paint with 1.4 seconds left and was fouled on the arm.  He went to the line and made both for the win.

Muff, who redshirted last season, finished with eight points and three rebounds.  DiNunno led all players with 17 points.  Glenn Cosey added 14.  Guthrie had a team-best 16 for the Tigers.  Jerrelle Benimon contributed 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Eastern shot just 39 percent for the game, was out-rebound by 13 and out-scored at the free throw line by seven.  However, the Colonels took advantage of 14 offensive rebounds to the tune of 19 second chance points, six more than Towson, and turned 17 Tiger turnovers into 21 points.

The Colonels will face Radford at 5 p.m. on Sunday.  The live radio broadcast of each EKU game is available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM, and can be heard worldwide on EKUSports.com.  A live video broadcast of each EKU contest is available on OVCDigitalNetwork.com.

KENNESAW STATE vs. RADFORD
Radford beat Kennesaw State, 67-58, in Saturday’s second game of the Comfort Suites Invitational.  R.J. Price led the Highlanders with 19 points.  Javonte Green added 16.

Markeith Cummings scored a game-high 31 points for Kennesaw State.  The senior went 11-for-15 from the free throw line.  The Owls went 2-for-14 from behind the three-pointer line.

Comfort Suites Invitational schedule/results:
Friday 
EKU 85, Kennesaw State 71
Towson 75, Radford 67
Saturday
EKU 71, Towson 69 OT
Radford 67, Kennesaw State 58
Sunday 
Radford at EKU, 5 p.m.
Towson vs. Kennesaw State, 7 p.m.
Monday 
Cincinnati Christian vs. Towson, 1 p.m.