BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- The Eastern Illinois men's tennis squad picked up a 4-2 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday afternoon to tie for third place in the Ohio Valley Conference standings prior to next weekend's league championship.

The Panthers earned a spot in the six-team end-of-season OVC meet by downing the Governors behind the play of Jeff Rutherford, Jordan Nestrud, Chris Thomas, and Felipe Gama, who each won singles play to pick up the win.  Prior to the match the squad honored EIU seniors Chris Thomas and Sean Bush.

"We were proud to celebrate the careers of Chris and Sean today," said EIU head coach John Blackburn.  "They have been a part of a huge turnaround in this program over the past three years. I thought it was fitting Chris came through for us to clinch the match. His play along with Sean's doubles have been a catalyst for us all year."

Due to time constraints doubles action did not take place as the EIU squad improved to 12-8 overall and 6-3 in conference action.  The third place OVC finish is the best regular-season standing since also capturing third place in 2003 and 2004.

The Panthers finish the regular-season portion of the schedule next week when they host in-state rival Southern Illinois on Wednesday, April 16 at 1 p.m. at EIU's Darling Courts.

Eastern Illinois 4, Austin Peay 2

Singles
1. Jeff Rutherford (EIU) def. Lucas De Brito - 6-2, 6-3
2. Leonardo Locatelli def. Robert Stedman (EIU) - 6-3, 6-3
3. Patrick Puertolas def. Vuk Milicevic (EIU) - 6-3, 6-3
4. Jordan Nestrud (EIU) def. Leandro Tolosa-Zenulusen - 6-2, 6-2
5. Chris Thomas (EIU) def. Jay Wilkinson - 6-0, 3-6, 6-4
6. Felipe Gama (EIU) def. D. Tallent - 6-0, 6-2