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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois held a slim 32-31 halftime lead before Chicago State's David Holston scored 21 second half points to help CSU surge past EIU, 77-64, on Monday night at Lantz Arena.

Chicago State improved to 6-6 on the year while Eastern Illinois fell to 3-7. The Panthers return to action on Dec. 28 at Bowling Green.

Both teams struggled from the floor in the opening 20 minutes as EIU shot only 37 percent while CSU connected for only 39 percent including a 4-of-13 effort from 3-point range. EIU was able to take the 32-31 halftime advantage after getting to the line 16 times in the first half.

Holston scored a pair of lay-ups in the first two minutes of the second half to tie the game at 34-34, the tenth tie of the game. Carl Montgomery gave the Cougars the lead on a lay-up with 17:20 remaining and Chicago State never trailed again.

Tyler Laser pulled the Panthers to within one point at 15:51 as he drained a 3-pointer. Chicago State responded with an 8-0 run over the next two minutes and thirty seconds as Marquis Young pounded the ball down low to finish with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Laser pulled the Panthers to with five points with a 3-pointer at 9:38 as he finished with 12 points.

Holston then stole the show knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers as he went 4-of-7 from long distance in the second half. Holston, the nation's second leading scorer, finished with 32 points. John Cantrell added 18 as CSU won the battle on the glass by a 45-34 margin.

Romain Martin led EIU with 19 points but was 6-of-16 from the floor. Ousmane Cisse pulled down 9 rebounds to go with 8 points. EIU finished the game shooting 37 percent while hitting 4-of-16 from 3-point range.