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MARTIN, Tenn. – UT Martin used a 19-2 run midway through the second half to turn a six point Eastern Illinois lead into a double-digit Skyhawks lead as they won 65-51 over EIU.

UT Martin improved to 14-6, 7-3 in the OVC while Eastern Illinois fell to 8-11, 5-4 in the OVC.

Lester Hudson opened the game scoring five straight points as the Skyhawks built an early 16-9 lead. Hudson, the nation's second leading scorer, finished with 10 first half points hitting a 3-pointer with 8:54 that put UTM up 22-18.

Eastern Illinois responded with a 10-0 run holding the Skyhawks scoreless for a 6:20 stretch. Tyler Laser gave the Panthers their first lead with a 3-pointer at the 5:12 mark. He would sink a pair of free throws to put EIU up 28-22 as he had 13 first half points.

Benzor Simmons ended the UTM scoreless streak with a lay-up with 2:40 left. Jeremy Granger finished off a three point play for EIU before Marquis Weddle drained a 3-pointer to cut EIU's halftime advantage to 31-30. EIU shot 55 percent in the first half including a 5-for-5 effort from 3-point range.

Ousmane Cisse put the Panthers up six with 18:05 left in the game hitting a jumper in the paint. Hudson answered for UT Martin scoring 13 of the next 19 points for the Skyhawks, hitting three 3-pointers in the run. Hudson finished with 29 points going 5-of-11 from beyond the arc. He also added 9 rebounds.

#T.J. Marion# cut the lead back to single digits with 8:22 left as UT Martin led 49-40. Weddle had a 3-pointer and Delrico Lane had a steal and lay-up to put UTM up for good. Weddle ended the game with 12.

Laser finished with 21 points for EIU as he was the only Panther in double digits for the second straight game. EIU committed 20 turnovers compared to 9 assists with UTM converting 19 points off EIU turnovers.

The Panthers now open a four game home stand starting on Thursday night against Tennessee Tech.