JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) Jomaru Brown had 24 points as Eastern Kentucky narrowly beat Jacksonville State 81-77 on Thursday night.

Tre King had 18 points and nine rebounds for Eastern Kentucky (8-12, 5-2 Ohio Valley Conference). Russhard Cruickshank added 15 points.

JSU trailed by 11 with eight minutes to play but scored 17 of the next 25 points to trim its deficit to 75-73 when Jacara Cross made a layup with 1:31 remaining but Brown made 6-of-6 free throws from there and the Colonels held on.