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Junior guard/forward Rafriel Guthrie posted a team-high 16 points on 5-for-8 shooting for the Tigers, while classmate Jerrelle Benimon recorded the first double-double of his career with 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
Towson (1-2), which trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half, used a 16-5 run to take a 54-53 lead with 2:46 remaining in regulation. Eastern Kentucky, which improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season, would score the next five points to grab a four-point lead with 1:39 left.
Guthrie would hit a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession and after a Towson stop, the Tigers had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. Junior Mike Burwell attempted the latter by hoisting a three-pointer, but he was fouled in the act of shooting. The East Brunswick, N.J. native made two-of-three with 23 seconds remaining in the second half and the Tiger defense would hold to send the contest into overtime.
Trailing by three in the extra season, freshman Jerome Hairston tallied five straight points to put the Tigers up 67-65 with 1:02 remaining. After four consecutive Eastern Kentucky points, Towson found itself down two with 26 seconds on the clock. After a timeout, Benimon passed out of a double team and found Damas who hit the jumper to tie the game for the 10th time with 13 seconds remaining.
With another chance to win the game, this time EKU fed the ball down low to Muff, who was hit on the arm with 1.4 seconds left. The sophomore drilled both free throws to seal the win as the Tigers were unable to get another shot attempt off.
Towson once again controlled the glass, 43-30, led by the career-high 16 boards from Benimon. Damas and Burwell pulled down six rebounds apiece.
The Colonels were led by guard Mike DiNunno's 17 points, while Glenn Cosey was the only other EKU player in double figures with 14.
Towson will play its third game in three days on Sunday against Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. It will be the first all-time meeting between the programs.
-TowsonTigers.com-
