Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Eastern Kentucky University suffered an 87-85 overtime loss on Thursday at North Carolina Greensboro, the No. 4 ranked team in the CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25.
 
The Colonels (3-4) went in front by 11 on a 3-pointer from Michael Moreno with 6:04 left in regulation.  However, the Spartans' 3-point barrage, which had lasted the entire game, continued in the closing minutes and helped the home team erase the deficit.  Akrum Ahemed's three cut it to six, 70-64.  Another from Ahemed with 57 seconds to go made it a 1-point game, 75-71. 
 
After Devontae Blanton hit a jumper with 39 seconds left, Mikeal Brown-Jones put three on the board the old-fashioned way.  His lay-up and free throw with 21.4 ticks remaining knotted the score at 77-77.  Blanton's attempt to win it at the buzzer was blocked.
 
Ahemed's basket to start the extra period gave the Spartans their first lead since the 16:06 mark of the first half.  The Colonels took an 81-79 lead on back-to-back buckets from Leland Walker.  Blanton's jumper with 1:54 put EKU in front 83-81.  Isaiah Cozart's reverse lay-up with 1:16 on the clock had his squad on top 85-83.
 
Brown-Jones hit two free throws with 59 seconds to go in overtime to tie it.  Keyshaun Langley's lay-up with 0.8 seconds left proved to be the winning shot.
 
UNC Greensboro (7-1) finished 13-for-24 from 3-point range on the night.  The Spartans entered the game 37th in the nation with 9.4 three's per game.  UNCG also started the night seventh in the country with just 8.7 turnovers per game.  The Colonels forced nine turnovers in the first half and 14 for the game.
 
EKU made 46 percent of its shots from the field and went 9-for-20 (45 percent) from long range, but hit on just 12-of-21 at the free throw line. 
 
Blanton led the team with 22 points to go along with eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.  Walker had 18 points.  Cozart finished with 16 points, four rebounds and three blocks.  Michael Moreno hit four 3-pointers, moving within one of tying Matt Witt for the program career record of 283, and pulled down nine rebounds.
 
Donovan Atwell led UNC Greensboro's 3-point charge, hitting on 8-of-10 to finish with a game-best 24 points.  The rest of the team was 5-for-14 from behind the arc.  Brown-Jones had 19 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Colonels built a 13-point lead in the first half and led by 13 again with Tayshawn Comer started the second half with a steal and a lay-up to make it 44-31.  After the Spartans closed to within three, 47-44, an 11-2 run allowed EKU to go back in front by 12, 58-46, with 12:40 to play in regulation.  Walker's jumper with 8:40 on the clock staked the visitors to another 13-point lead, 66-53.
 
EKU will be back home on Sunday to host Bethany College at Baptist Health Arena.  FREE hot chocolate will be available for fans.  As part of the Toys for Tots drive, fans who donate a new toy will receive 50 percent off their ticket on Sunday.