SIUE Escapes With 76-74 Win Over EIU

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half on Thursday night but it was a defensive play in the final seconds that helped SIUE escape Lantz Arena with a 76-74 win over EIU.

EIU fell to 12-13 overall, 5-8 in the OVC.  SIUE improved to 7-19 overall, 4-9 in the OVC.

SIUE pulled out to an 11 point lead with just under 11 minutes to play at Zeke Moore sank a 3-pointer to push the Cougars lead to 55-44. 

EIU made several spurts over the next five minutes, cutting it to five points on two occasions, only to see SIUE answer and twice extend the lead back to double figures.  Moore’s jumper with 5:31 to play extended SIUE’s lead out to 66-56 as Moore was one of three Cougars in double figures with 16.
Josiah Wallace would make it a two-point game with 2:42 to play as the Panthers went on a 10-2 run over a three minute span. 

SIUE pushed the lead back out to eight points before EIU made one last charge.  Mack Smith hit a 3-pointer to make it a five point game before going to the foul line to sink three free throws with 36 seconds remaining.  Smith scored 25 points to lead EIU.

The Cougars missed the front end of a one-and-one allowing EIU to have a possession to try and tie or win the game with 27 seconds remaining.  EIU missed two close shots near the basket with SIUE pulling down the rebound.   The Panthers had one last chance after SIUE again missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Tyresse Williford came up with a steal ending in a dunk by Brandon Jackson with two seconds left.  Smith hit a jumper as time expired for the final margin.

Wallace had 20 points and Jordan Skipper-Brown added 12 with nine rebounds as EIU led 32-31 at the half.  George Dixon had 12 rebounds.
Mike Adewunmi collected a double-double for SIUE with 25 points and 11 rebounds.  Shamar Wright added 12.