Jacksonville Downs EIU Men, Women; Fredbird at EIU Feb. 10

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Published on February 2 2018 9:57 am
Last Updated on February 2 2018 9:57 am
Written by Millie Lange

Jacksonville State opened the second half with a 13-1 run as the Gamecocks blew open a two-point halftime contest to beat Eastern Illinois, 75-56, on Thursday night at Lantz Arena in men's basketball action.

EIU fell to 7-15 overall, 3-8 in the OVC.  EIU returns to action on Saturday hosting Tennessee Tech at 3:15 p.m.  JSU improved to 17-7 overall, 8-3 in the OVC.

JSU held a 31-29 halftime lead before opening the second half with a 13-1 run.  Christian Cunningham scored six straight points with two of the baskets coming on dunks following back-door cuts to the hoop.  Jamall Gregory converted a three-point play with 18:31 to play in the second half to push the lead to double digits at 40-29.  Marlon Hunter extended the run converting a turnover into a lay-up.

Ray Crossland broke the scoring run by the Gamecocks with a free throw with 18:01 to play and Montell Goodwin trimmed the lead back down to ten points with 15:29 to play on a jumper in the lane.  Goodwin was one of three Panthers to finish in double figures with 15 points.

Cunningham quickly pushed the lead back to 12 points and Hunter added jumper to make it a 14 point JSU lead.  EIU would never get closer than 12 points the remainder of the game.

Cunningham posted a double-double for JSU with 12 points and ten rebounds.  Jason Burnell had 17 points and Gregory had ten points.  JSU finished the night shooting 51 percent from the field.

Mack Smith had 14 points for EIU giving the freshman five straight double figure scoring games.  Muusa Dama chipped in with 11 points as his free throws at 10:01 of the first half gave EIU an early 19-10 advantage.

Jacksonville State 59, EIU Women 50

Karle Pace posted her sixth double-figure scoring performance of the season with 12 points in the Panthers 59-50 loss to Jacksonville State Thursday night. EIU fell to 2-20 overall, 1-10 OVC while the Gamecocks improved to 14-8 overall, 8-3 OVC.

JSU started the game on a 16-2 run in the first eight minutes of play when the Panthers responded with a 12-2 run into the second quarter. EIU held the Gamecocks scoreless for the last three minutes of the half ending the second quarter on an 11-0 run led by Carmen Tellez. Tellez score eight points in the second quarter helping the Panthers to a three point lead heading into half time.

The Gamecocks increased their pressure defense in the second half regaining the lead just two minutes into the half. The Panthers narrowed JSU's lead to three points at the end of the quarter but the Gamecocks held on to win their eighth conference win.

The Panthers dominated the paint 24-14 over JSU but lost the rebounding battle 44-35.

In addidtion to Pace's team-leading 12 points, Taylor Steele and Danielle Berry added nine points each. Steele tallied five rebounds and two steals while Berry had six boards and three assists. Jennifer Nehls grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Three players finished in double-figures for JSU. Rayven Pearson and Tyler Phelion each had 13 points. Taylor Hawks rounded out the scoring efforts with 11 points. Tasha Magruder and Pearson led the Gamecocks with nine and eight rebounds, respectively.

The Panthers will return to action Saturday Feb. 3 at 1 pm as they host Tennessee Tech.

 

Fredbird to Appear at Eastern

Fredbird, the mascot of the St. Louis Cardinals, will be at the Eastern Illinois basketball doubleheader when the Panthers host Austin Peay on Saturday, Feb. 10.  The women tip off at 1 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 3:15 p.m.

Starting at halftime of the women’s game Fredbird will be available to take pictures with fans of all ages.  Tickets for the doubleheader can be purchased at the EIU ticket office, by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com

At each game EIU fans will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Sunday, May 6 game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs.  One set will be awarded to ticket holders at each game with an additional set being awarded to an EIU student during the men’s game.

Be sure to mark your calendars for next Saturday, February 10 to meet Fredbird and watch the Eastern Illinois Panthers take on Austin Peay.


Tennessee Tech 68, SIUE 67

EDWARDSVILLE – Tennessee Tech held off SIUE Saturday, defeating the Cougars 68-67 in Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball at Vadalabene Center.

David McFarland had a long three-point attempt at the buzzer hit the front rim but missing, leaving the Cougars one point short.

"This team is really growing up and I commend them for that," SIUE Head Coach Jon Harris said. "We have put together great defensive efforts two games in a row now. This is probably our best defensive game of the year, and it put us in position to win the game late."

SIUE has dropped five in a row and fell to 7-15 overall and 3-8 in the OVC. Tennessee Tech improved to 16-8 and 8-3.

Trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, and by 10 points with just 5:33 to play, SIUE used defensive pressure and five Tennessee Tech turnovers to work their way back into the game.

"Our intensity and aggression was great on defense tonight," Harris said. "It hasn't always been there for us. Our guys were locked in and they covered for each other well."

Kajon Mack put TTU up three (68-65) with a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left. Christian Ellis brought the ball in to the front court, where the Golden Eagles elected to foul instead allowing SIUE the chance to tie the game with a three-pointer. Ellis knocked down both free throws to make it 68-67.

Cade Crosland missed a pair of free throws for Tennessee Tech and after a scuffle for the rebound, the ball was knocked out of play with inside of two seconds left. Justin Benton inbounded the ball for SIUE to McFarland for the final try.

McFarland collected his first career double-double with 13 point and a career-high 12 rebounds. Ellis led the way with a team-high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting.

"David and Christian are playing hungry," Harris added. "Christian made two big free throws late and David hit some big shots."

Jalen Henry scored 11 points and added eight rebounds. Daniel Kinchen chipped in nine points and seven assists.

"Daniel hasn't been shooting the ball well but he's doing some good things for us, like his seven assists," Harris said. "He's guarding better, but he just needs to get more consistent on offense."

Mack led thre TTU players in double figures. He scored 18 and was 6-6 at the free throw line. Shaq Calhoun picked a double-double of his own with 16 point and 11 rebounds. Mason Ramsey added 11 points for the Golden Eagles.

SIUE plays the second of four consecutive home games Saturday when Jacksonville State comes to Edwardsville for a 1 p.m. contest.

"We'll have to bring that defensive effort," Harris said of Saturday's matchup. "(Jacksonville State) is a very good team who can hurt you in a lot of ways. They're athletic and rebound very well."