Cory Walden scored 22 of his career-high 29 points in the second half to help Eastern Kentucky upset top-seeded Belmont 79-73 Saturday night for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship and an NCAA tournament berth.
The Colonels (24-9) won their seventh straight game - and third in as many nights - in clinching their first OVC tournament title since 2007 and their eighth trip to the NCAAs overall.
Glenn Cosey added 23 points for Eastern Kentucky. Tarius Johnson had 15 before fouling out.
J.J. Mann, the OVC player of the year, led Belmont with 18 points.