JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by late-game execution and crucial free throws, the Jacksonville Dolphins outlasted the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 81-76 in overtime in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 652, saw the Dolphins overcome a four-point halftime deficit and survive a frantic final minute of regulation before dominating the extra period to secure the victory. The win improved Jacksonville’s record to 8-13 overall, while Eastern Kentucky fell to 7-14.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 34 seconds of regulation. Trailing 68-66, Eastern Kentucky’s Montavious Myrick was fouled and sent to the line for two shots with a chance to tie. The 6-foot-8 forward from Atlanta, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds, missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second to cut the deficit to one.

On the ensuing inbound play, Jacksonville’s Evan Sterck was immediately fouled. The guard from St. Louis, who scored 16 points, made both free throws to push the Dolphins’ lead back to three at 70-67 with 16 seconds left. Eastern Kentucky raced downcourt and found MJ Williams for a three-point attempt, but the guard from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was fouled on the shot with eight seconds remaining. Williams, who had 12 points, made the first two free throws to pull within one. On his intentional miss of the third attempt, a scramble ensued, and Eastern Kentucky’s Juan Cranford secured the offensive rebound and was fouled with 4.6 seconds on the clock.

With the game in the balance, Cranford made the first free throw to tie the game at 70. His second attempt rimmed out, and Jacksonville’s Chris Lockett secured the defensive rebound. Lockett’s desperation heave from beyond half-court missed, sending the game to overtime.

The overtime period belonged entirely to Jacksonville, particularly Lockett. The sophomore from New Orleans, who erupted for a game-high 25 points, scored seven of Jacksonville’s 13 points in the extra frame. His driving layup off a steal gave the Dolphins a 72-70 lead they would not relinquish. Eastern Kentucky, which scored only eight points in overtime, went cold from the field, missing all three of its field goal attempts and committing two turnovers.

Jacksonville sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 9 of 10 attempts in overtime. Sterck and Lockett combined to go 6-for-6 in the final 34 seconds to ice the victory.

The game was a statistical oddity, as both teams finished with identical 27-for-52 shooting from the field. Eastern Kentucky held advantages in three-point shooting, making 6 of 17 compared to Jacksonville’s 4 of 14, and points in the paint, 36-30. However, Jacksonville’s superior efficiency at the free-throw line proved decisive. The Dolphins made 23 of 30 attempts, while the Colonels converted 20 of 28.

Jacksonville also capitalized on Eastern Kentucky’s mistakes, scoring 18 points off 14 Colonels turnovers. The Dolphins’ defense, led by Lockett and Sterck who each had two steals, forced several key turnovers down the stretch. Allen Udemadu, a 6-foot-10 forward from Lagos, Nigeria, anchored the interior with seven rebounds and two blocks for Jacksonville.

For Eastern Kentucky, Myrick and Williams led the scoring effort, supported by nine points each from Jayden Harris and Turner Buttry. The Colonels’ offense, however, managed only six assists against 14 turnovers and struggled to find consistent rhythm in the half-court, especially in the decisive overtime period.

The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout. Eastern Kentucky led 37-33 at halftime behind efficient early shooting. Jacksonville responded in the second half, tying the game multiple times before taking a brief lead. The Colonels fought back to set up the dramatic final minute that forced overtime, where Jacksonville’s composure and Lockett’s offensive burst made the difference.

The victory gives Jacksonville a modest two-game winning streak in conference play, while Eastern Kentucky has now lost two straight close games, having fallen at North Florida by two points last Thursday.

Both teams return to ASUN action next week. Eastern Kentucky hosts Austin Peay on Wednesday, while Jacksonville prepares for a home game against Lipscomb on Thursday.