EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Wendell Green Jr. scored 23 points, including clinching free throws with 12 seconds left, and Eastern Kentucky survived a last-gasp try from Austin Peay to edge the Governors 70-67 Thursday night in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.
The Colonels meet top-seeded Belmont in Friday’s semifinals.
Carlos Paez, a 5-foot-10 guard, tried twice to launch a game-tying 3-pointer over the taller Eastern Kentucky perimeter defense. He appeared to pull back his first shot after meeting 6-7 Michael Moreno in mid-air, stepped to his right and tried again. This attempt was blocked by Moreno, travelling only a few feet toward the basket and 6-9 Tre King wrapped up the ball as time ran out.
King scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, all on defense, for third-seeded Eastern Kentucky (22-6). Devontae Blanton and Cooper Robb each added 11 points.
Terry Taylor led the sixth-seeded Governors (14-13) with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Mike Peake added 13 points and seven rebounds. Reginald Gee had 11 points.
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