Eastern Kentucky University’s men’s basketball team made an impressive comeback in their first-round game of the 2023 Discount Tire College Basketball Invitational, overcoming a 13-point second-half deficit to force overtime. The Colonels dominated the extra frame, outscoring Cleveland State University 17-1, and ultimately securing a 91-75 victory.
The No. 8 seed EKU (21-13) is now set to face No. 1 seed Indiana State (23-12) in the Discount Tire CBI quarterfinals on Monday at 12 p.m. ET. The game will air live on FloHoops, with a live radio broadcast available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM or worldwide on EKUSports.com.
Richmond native Isaiah Cozart played a pivotal role in the Colonels’ victory, finishing with a career-high 20 points, a career-best 17 rebounds, and five blocks. Devontae Blanton also stood out, scoring a game-best 22 points.
Cleveland State, the No. 9 seed, held their largest lead of 13 points, 56-43, with 10:29 left in regulation, thanks to a jumper from Jayson Woodrich. However, the Colonels staged a remarkable comeback, with Michael Moreno’s back-to-back three-pointers cutting the deficit to seven, 56-49. Moreno contributed 11 points and nine rebounds in total.
The Colonels continued to chip away at the lead, and a Tayshawn Comer three-pointer with 3:02 to play made it a four-point game, 70-66. An 8-0 run, capped by Isaiah Cozart’s free throw and Moreno’s put-back, gave the Colonels a two-point lead, 74-72, with 30 seconds to go in regulation. Tae Williams scored a lay-up for the Vikings to tie the game, sending it to overtime.
EKU took control in the extra period, with Comer’s dunk breaking the tie and setting the tone for the Colonels’ dominance. Cleveland State managed just one point in overtime, a free throw from Drew Lowder, while EKU scored the final 15 points of the game.
Tae Williams led the Vikings with 15 points. EKU shot 49 percent from the field and out-rebounded Cleveland State 50-29, including 20 offensive rebounds. Cleveland State shot 43 percent from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 4-of-18 (22 percent) of their long-range attempts.
