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RICHMOND, Ky.  – Senior forward Jalen O'Bannon notched a career-high 34 points and set a new program record with 22 made free throws, as the EKU women's basketball team handed Eastern Illinois University an 88-85 overtime defeat Saturday at McBrayer Arena.
 
O'Bannon's 22 made free throws passed the record held by Tracy Korbutt (21) set against Louisiana Layfette on Dec. 20, 1986. Southeast Missouri State's Lori Chase holds the Ohio Valley Conference single game free throw record with 23.  As a team, the Colonels shot a stellar 30-of-35 from the line (85.8 percent) in the contest, while the Panthers connected on 13-of-17 (76 percent). EKU entered Saturday's contest averaging 64.7 percent from the line.
 
Senior guard Shavontae Naylor's made free throw to close the third period was the first of 19 consecutive free throws for the Colonels.
 
EKU's win marks the first time since the 2009-10 season the Colonels have won their first three OVC contests. Eastern went 5-0 to open league play that season. With the win, the Colonels have won their last four regular season conference games and six of their last seven dating back to last season.
 
O'Bannon helped the Colonels solidify their third straight OVC win, netting 14 of her 34 points in extra minutes—10 of which came from the line.
 
After a bucket with 27.2 seconds left in regulation from O'Bannon pushed the contest beyond regulation, the Memphis, Tennessee native and the Colonels struck first in the overtime period to take a 71-69 lead.
 
EKU regained the lead on a three ball from sophomore Abby Wright, giving the Colonels a 76-73 advantage with 2:30 left to play.
 
The Panthers, however, knotted the game at 76 only before O'Bannon knocked down four straight from the line to extend EKU's lead back to four.
 
Following an Eastern Kentucky foul, EIU's Grace Lennox converted on both attempts from the line, trimming the EKU lead to two.
 
After senior guard Mariah Massengill calmly netted both free throws to extend EKU's lead back to four with 22 seconds, two Brittin Boyer free throws cut the lead to 84-82 with 11 seconds to play.
 
Another EIU foul sent O'Bannon back to the line, as she knocked down both to stretch the lead back to four with eight seconds left in the overtime period.

Lennox sank a three-pointer with just four seconds showing, narrowing the EKU lead to 86-85.
 
After a successful inbound play from the baseline, O'Bannon's 21 and 22nd made free throws helped seal the win for the Colonels.
 
The overtime period was the first of the season for the Colonels. EKU is now 6-0 on the year when leading with five minutes remaining.
 
O'Bannon tallied nine rebounds and five assists to go with her 34 points. Meanwhile, Wright finished with 13 points and five rebounds for the Colonels, as junior Madison Wood added 10 points and five boards.
 
The Colonels continue OVC play at defending conference tournament champion, Belmont University, Wednesday. Wednesday's contest is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET tip from the Curb Event Center.