OXFORD, Ohio – A poised and collected Eastern Kentucky used a late fourth period run to earn a 77-72 overtime win over homestanding Mid-American Conference opponent, Miami (Ohio) University Tuesday at Millett Hall.
Three Colonels finished in double-digit scoring for the second time this season. Senior preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selection Shameekia “Polly” Murray paced Eastern Kentucky with a career-high 25 points. Junior Michaela Hunter, also a preseason All-OVC selection, finished with 22 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, reigning OVC Newcomer of the Week Jalen O’Bannon posted her first career double-double as a Colonel, tallying 12 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
Hunter’s old-fashioned three-point play narrowed the Redhawk lead to 59-57 with 2:03 left to play in regulation. On the other end of the floor, Hunter poached Miami’s Leah Purvis to give the Colonels possession.
Murray grabbed another timely offensive rebound and drew the foul before connecting on both free throws, tying the game at 59 to force the overtime period, capping a crucial 5-0 Colonel run.
The Colonels used yet another run in overtime to seal the win.
Leading 68-66 with 1:34 left, redshirt junior Alexus Cooper knocked down two clutch free throws which ignited a 7-0 Eastern run.
The Colonel defense came up with another opportune stop, as Murray took it the length of the floor for the finish, extending Eastern’s lead to 72-66.
After a Miami miss, Cooper connected on a trey from the corner, putting Eastern Kentucky up nine with 27 seconds to play.
Miami hit two late three-pointers, but the Colonels’ lead was enough.
Purvis led the Redhawks with 25 points.
The Colonels are now 3-2 against Miami (Ohio) under Chrissy Roberts. Tuesday’s overtime win marked the first since Eastern defeated Morehead State, 69-66, in OT on February 8, 2014.
Eastern Kentucky (2-1, 0-0 OVC) hosts East Tennessee State University Friday at McBrayer Arena. Friday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Free admission will be granted to fans bringing a non-perishable food item to any of the games listed above. The canned goods will then be collected, put into food boxes and distributed to in-need EKU students.
The Colonel’s Cupboard at EKU is a service of Student Life, providing food boxes to enrolled full and part-time students in-need. The food boxes are designed to provide well-balanced meals to students.