FLORENCE, Ala. (February 15, 2026) – Sunday's game on ESPNU might just show up one day on ESPN Classic.
Hosting a nationally-televised basketball game on an ESPN linear network for the first time in school history, the University of North Alabama men's basketball team made the most of the spotlight and pulled out a thrilling 84-78 overtime win over Eastern Kentucky inside CB&S Bank Arena in Florence.
With all eyes on this Atlantic Sun Conference matchup, the UNA community showed up to the tune of 2,815 fans — filling up over 90 percent of the arena. Fans that attended and watched on ESPNU were treated to a thriller.
Both teams were evenly matched, trading the lead 16 times with eight ties. Neither team led by more than seven. However, the most important lead of the day was the six-point lead by the Lions (8-17, 3-11 ASUN) at the end of regulation.
UNA snapped a four-game skid with the victory, while extending a three-game win streak in overtime games. The last two overtime wins came against Austin Peay last season and Northwestern State this season.
Five Lions scored in double figures, led by 21 points from leading scorer Donte Bacchus. The senior was joined in the front court by redshirt junior Corneilous Williams, who racked up 16 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out late in the contest. Williams was one rebound short of the season-high he set against Northwestern State.
Sophomore Kevin de Kovachich was one of the heroes for UNA, scoring 18 points with five assists — matching a career-high in helpers. Down 66-65 with about 30 seconds left in regulation, de Kovachich hit a go-ahead three-pointer to put UNA in prime position. He also went 5-6 at the line while UNA played with the overtime lead, icing the game.
Sixth-year senior Dallas Howell, who has been part of so many moments with the program, relished the moment this afternoon with 11 points and six rebounds. On the other side, a true freshman that stepped into the light for UNA was Cortez Graham-Howard, who had the same stat line as Howell and notched a new career-high in both scoring and rebounding.
The Lions took a 32-31 lead into halftime, powered by a 10-0 run to flip a 23-18 deficit into a 28-23 advantage. A few minutes into the second half, UNA went up 38-31 for the largest lead of the game. EKU stormed back with its own run, taking a 58-51 lead with 7:36 to go.
Trailing by one or two possessions from that point until the final minute, de Kovachich came up with the shot of the night with a three-pointer from the left wing. The pass came from Howell with 38 seconds left. EKU missed two free throws at the other end, allowing Graham-Howard to make two free throws and extend the lead to 70-66.
Later, ahead 71-69 with five seconds left, EKU took a timeout with one more opportunity to drive up the floor. However, UNA was called for a foul near mid-court, sending EKU's MJ Williams to the line for a prime opportunity to tie it with two seconds left. He made both.
With a restless, but unwavering crowd, UNA brought the energy back for overtime. The Lions went behind 74-72 on the first exchange but eventually gained the lead on a Graham-Howard make with 2:05 to go. The final two minutes were won by UNA's defense and free throws, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
EKU won the paint 40-26, making this the first game UNA won without an advantage in the paint since last season's overtime win against Austin Peay. UNA did win the boards though with a hefty 49-33 advantage. This was a new season-high in rebounding for UNA.
Both teams shot roughly 40 percent from the field with UNA going 23-50 at 46 percent. Only two shots were taken in overtime, as UNA went to the foul line 14 times and sank 11 free throws. For the game, UNA went 31-46 at the line for 67.4 percent. EKU went 15-26 for 57.7 percent.
The Lions have four games remaining in the regular season, wrapping up a four-game home stand on Wednesday against Queens at 6 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
