EIU Men, Women Win, College Basketball Roundup

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Published on December 30 2013 6:39 am
Last Updated on December 30 2013 10:36 am
Written by Millie Lange

CHARLESTON, Ill.  – Chris Olivier hit the game-winning basket with two seconds remaining in regulation to lead the Panther men’s basketball team to a 70-69 win over Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon inside Lantz Arena. The win snapped the Panthers six-game losing streak as EIU improved to 4-8 overall and 1-0 in Ohio Valley Conference action.

Trailing 69-65 with 33 seconds on the clock, Alex Austin drained a three pointer to get the Panthers within one (69-68). After Tennessee State’s Jay Harris missed a free throw on the next play, Olivier hit the game winner off a put back from a missed shot by Sherman Blanford.

EIU started the game on a 7-4 run and led by as many as 15 points (26-11) at the 7:56 mark. The Panthers never trailed in the first half and took a 33-28 advantage into intermission.

Tennessee State opened the second stanza on a 13-5 run to take their first lead of the game, 41-38, with 15:20 left on the clock. The Tigers had their largest lead, 63-53, with 4:11 on the clock before the Panthers rallied back to outscore Tennessee State, 17-6, in the closing minutes.

Four Panthers scored in double figures led by Blanford who scored 15 points, going 6-for-12 from the floor and 3-for-5 from the charity stripe. Olivier finished the game with 14 points while Reggie Smith and Alex Austin both added 10 points. Smith also dished out a game-high seven assists.

EIU had a 40-32 advantage on the glass, paced by Olivier’s game-high 15 rebounds. Blanford also grabbed eight rebounds in the win. Olivier also had three of the Panthers five blocks.

Patrick Miller led the Tigers with a game-high 30 points, going 9-for-19 from the floor and 10-for-11 from the foul line. Jacquan Nobles added 14 points while M.J. Rhett chipped in 10 points and team-high eight rebounds.

EIU finished the contest going 25-for-64 from the floor while Tennessee State hit 44 percent of its shot attempts (22-for-50). The Panthers also went 13-for-16 from the foul line while the Tigers connected on 81.8 percent of their free throws (18-for-22).

The Panthers return to action on Thursday, Jan. 2 against Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m.


Six SIUE Players Hit Double Figures In Win

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Six SIUE players scored in double figures Sunday afternoon to lead the Cougars to a 102-78 win over Robert Morris-Springfield in men's basketball at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE improved to 3-10 with the win. Robert Morris fell to 7-6.

Maurice Wiltz and Michael Messer each scored 20 points to lead the Cougars. Wiltz was 7 of 12 from the field and connected on 5 of 9 three-point attempts. The 20 points establishes a new career high for Wiltz. The 20-point effort is the second of Messer's career. He finished 7 for 10 from the field and 2 for 2 from three-point range.

Kris Davis added a season-high 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting. He was 3 for 4 from long range.

Donivine Stewart finished with 12 points and a game-high nine assists. Keaton Jackson scored 11 points, and Christian Salecich chipped in 10 points.


EIU Women Pick Up Victory

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois had three players score in double figures as the Panthers won their eighth straight Ohio Valley Conference opener with a 80-70 win over Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon.

EIU improved to 6-6 on the season, 1-0 in the OVC.  The Panthers host Morehead State next Saturday at 4:15 p.m.  TSU fell to 3-11, 0-1 in the OVC.

Tennessee State built an early first half lead behind some surprise shooting from 3-point range as the Lady Tigers made 2-of-6 from beyond the arc led by Brianna Lawrence and Diamond Beatty each sinking a triple.

The Panthers struggled from 3-point range early in the game and showed some signs of the holiday hangover.  Katlyn Payne broke the Panthers misery with back-to-back 3-pointers in the final 1:26 of action as EIU lead 34-31 at the half.  Rachel Allen scored the final basket of the half for TSU on a jumper in the final second.  Allen had ten of her team high 22 points in the first half for TSU.

No. 10 Wichita State Downs Davidson

Cleanthony Early totaled 24 points and 10 rebounds as No. 10 Wichita State held off Davidson 81-70 to remain unbeaten on the season.


College Basketball Roundup

In college basketball Sunday, Notre Dame needed overtime for an 87-81 win over Canisius. On Saturday, UIC suffered a 74-60 setback to Illinois at the United Center. Friday, DePaul notched a 57-56 win over Northwestern. Northern Illinois will return to action Tuesday at Iowa State.


Illinois Opens Big Ten Play Tuesday

(Champaign, IL) -- Illinois opens up Big Ten play Tuesday by hosting Indiana at the State Farm Center. The Fighting Illini moved to 11-2 with a 74-60 win over Illinois-Chicago Saturday at the United Center. The Hoosiers are 10-3 on the season.


Sunday, December 29 Scoreboard

NCAA Top-25 Men's Basketball  ("USA Today" Rankings)

#8 Wichita State Shockers 81, Davidson Wildcats 70

#10 Oregon Ducks 97, Morgan State Bears 76

#14 Florida Gators 76, Savannah State Tigers 34

 

Monday, December 30 Schedule (All Times central)

NCAA Top-25 Men's Basketball  ("USA Today" Rankings)

6:00 p.m. - #7 Oklahoma State Cowboys host Rober Morris Colonials

7:00 p.m. - #12 Baylor Bears host Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

7:00 p.m. - #16 Kansas Jayhawks host Toledo Rockets

8:00 p.m. - #21 Gonzaga Bulldogs host San Francisco Dons