Stommes’ layup lifts Eastern Kentucky to 66-65 victory over Jacksonville State

Eastern Kentucky edges Jacksonville State 66-65

RICHMOND, Ky. — Papa Oppong scored 20 points and Justin Stommes added 16, including a go-ahead layup with 21 seconds left Saturday night, to lift Eastern Kentucky past Jacksonville State 66-65.

Stommes’ layup for the Colonels (17-8, 9-4 Ohio Valley Conference) came after both teams missed shots on two consecutive possessions.

Dominique Shellman had given the Gamecocks (10-13, 6-7) a 65-64 lead by making one of two free throws with 2:22 remaining to break the game’s 10th tie.

Jacksonville State twice led by six points in the second half, only to see Eastern Kentucky come back. The Colonels held a seven-point lead, 57-50, with 6:56 left but couldn’t hold it.

Both teams shot over 50 percent in the second half — Eastern Kentucky at 54.2 percent (13-for-24) and Jacksonville State at 52.2 percent (12-for-23).

Trenton Marshall scored 19 points and Nick Murphy 15 to lead the Gamecocks.