Stommes’ 22 points, hot shooting propels Eastern Kentucky to 78-73 win over Tennessee Tech

Eastern Kentucky beats Tennessee Tech 78-73

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Justin Stommes scored 22 points and Eastern Kentucky scored the final five points of the game to defeat Tennessee Tech 78-73 on Saturday night.

Stommes was 8-for-11 from the field, Willie Cruz was 8-for-8 for 19 points and the Colonels (11-6, 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference) shot 72.7 percent (16-for-22) in the second half.

Tennessee Tech (7-9, 1-4) pulled within 73-72 on Frank Davis’ 3-pointer with 2:12 left, but didn’t score another basket. Stommes hit a jumper to push the lead to 75-72 and Cruz finished Eastern Kentucky’s scoring with a layup and free throw.

Josh Taylor added 15 points and Papa Oppong scored 14 for the Colonels.

Davis scored 25 points and Kevin Murphy added 13 for Tennessee Tech, which shot 60 percent from the field (18-for-30) in the second half and 54.7 for the game (54.7 percent).

The Colonels hit 12 3-pointers and Tennessee Tech had 10.