Late turnovers by the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team allowed Tennessee Tech University to complete a comeback and defeat the Colonels, 70-67, at McBrayer Arena on Thursday.
EKU will be back in action at home on Saturday against Jacksonville State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Two powerful scoring plays inside by DeAndre Dishman and a pair of Nick Mayo free throws gave the Colonels a three-point advantage, 67-64, with 1:46 left in the game. A foul sent the Golden Eagles to the line, where Kajon Mack hit two free throws to cut the lead down to one.
A steal by Tennessee Tech was followed by another foul on the Colonels, but Micaiah Henry missed both attempts from the charity stripe and Mayo came down with the rebound and a one-point EKU lead. However, Eastern turned the ball over, giving possession right back to the Golden Eagles with 21 seconds remaining.
Another foul by the Colonels sent TTU back to the line, where Mack nailed a pair of free throws to give Tennessee Tech a one-point advantage, 68-67. Dillon Avare missed on a three pointer on the ensuing Eastern possession, but Dishman grabbed the rebound and drew a foul with two seconds remaining.
Dishman’s first shot of a one-and-one attempt did not go down, and Mack was there to get the rebound for the Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech hit a pair of free throws to close out its victory.
TTU (13-7, 5-2 OVC) was led in scoring by Mack, whose 3-for-16 effort from the field was overshadowed by hitting all eleven of his free throw attempts. Curtis Phillips, Corey Tillery, and Mason Ramsey all had double digit points for the Golden Eagles, scoring 13, 10, and 10 respectively.
Eastern Kentucky (8-12, 2-5 OVC) also had four players scoring double digits, including an 18-point effort by Dishman. Mayo contributed 12 points and matched Dishman’s seven rebounds, while Dujuanta Weaver and A.J. Youngman both scored 14 points.
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Steve Fohl
Associate Director of EKUSports Communications
