North Alabama got the separation it needed late — and then some — beating Eastern Kentucky 84-78 in overtime on Feb. 15, 2026. In a game that stayed within one possession deep into the final stretch, the Lions delivered the decisive work in the extra period, winning overtime 13-7.
How it happened
Regulation was a grind with both teams landing big swings in the second half. North Alabama carried a slim 32-31 advantage at halftime, then the teams matched each other through the final 20 minutes: Eastern Kentucky scored 40 in the fourth quarter, North Alabama answered with 39. The result was a tie at the end of regulation and a setup for overtime.
Once the game moved to the extra session, North Alabama controlled the terms. The Lions scored 13 points in overtime — nearly doubling Eastern Kentucky’s 7 — to put the game away and secure the 84-78 win.
Turning point: overtime execution
With the teams dead even after regulation, overtime became a test of late-game precision. North Alabama won that test decisively, using a 13-7 overtime margin to create the first real separation either side had in the closing stages.
By the numbers
North Alabama led 32-31 at halftime and finished with 84 points. Eastern Kentucky scored 78, including 40 in the fourth quarter. The Lions’ overtime advantage (13-7) was the difference on the scoreboard.
What it means going forward
For North Alabama (now 8-17), the win stands out as a resilience marker after a WLLLL form line entering the game — a tight, high-pressure finish turned into a result. Eastern Kentucky dropped to 9-18 after coming in at LLWWL, and will be left to replay the missed opportunity of a fourth-quarter surge that didn’t carry over into overtime.
Game details
League: NCAA
Season: 2025-2026
Date: February 15, 2026
Venue: TBD